Art - Ceramics

This is the second part of my quest for the best art in the area. My absolute favorite ceramic artist that I have found to date is out of San Carlos (only about 25k north of Cafayate). Mendoza’s ceramics is a true testament to talent, experience, and imagination. Ceramics in this area are very much a part of the culture. I even took a ceramics college until we started the Restaurant and I no longer had enough time. Since then I have a passion for the different types and would love to some day return to ceramics.

I learned that the “asilla” or mud for ceramics, is found nearby in the Quebrada de Las Conchas. Mostly, the ceramics are fired in huge outdoor ovens with wood. This takes a lot of experience and talent because the type of material used can show three colors, brown, black, and silver. This all depends on the temperature of the oven. If you want it silver, the fire and wood have to be hotter than if you wanted your ceramic brown. My favorite of Mendoza’s pieces are the silver and black. Although he does all three. His pieces are done to perfection, smooth, textured, and rich in colors. His designs vary with snakes, birds, owls, faces, and even dragons. I’ve visited him many times and have always taken guests there. Finally, I broke down and bought something of his. For me, it isn’t cheap but well worth it. Ever time I go in, he always remembers who I am and he shows me his pieces he is working on (right now an sink that the water would come out of an eagle’s mouth). He’s even sold to a gallery dealer from California. Anyway, in small town San Carlos you will find an amazing, down to earth artist with a passion for uniqueness and a family of talent (his son is a painter as well). I highly recommend stopping by his shop even if it’s just to look at amazing art and to chat with a very nice man. You might be surprised what you walk out of there with!