Ceramics Palopa artisan painting ceramics

Ceramicas Palopo is located on the shores of Lake Atitlan in San Antonio Palopo, Solola, Guatemala. Ceramicas Palopo hand-throws and hand-paints each beautiful ceramic piece. They are high fired for durability and decorated with lead free glazes. The initials of the painter are on the bottom of each item. The artisans carefully paint and sculpt each piece and the beautiful blues and greens that abound are reflections of their proximity to Lake Atitlan.

The cooperative was started by an American "expat", Ken Edwards, who has traveled extensively to find the right clay to make fine stoneware. What he found next to Lake Atitlan was more than he could ever dream of--wonderful clay and some of the most talented Mayan artisans in Guatemala who were eager to learn a new craft. Seven Mayan families now work with Ken in their cooperative enterprise. They hand paint each piece and each is unique. All the work is done with kilns and wheels they have built in their small shop.