Pottery is a long standing Mexican art form with archeologists unearthing ceramic shards from a thousand years ago. The four main categories used to group Mexican ceramics are Mata Ortiz, Casas Grandes, Talavera, and Oaxacan. Each of these styles reflects its regions unique influences. But, no matter how unique each genre of Mexican pottery was, they all had one thing in common the use of lead in their creation.
In 2003 this began to change thanks to Barro Sin Plomo (BSP) [“Clay Without Lead†in English], a multinational charity whose mission is to work with local artisans to find viable, lead-free alternative methods with which they can create the works of beauty to without harming the health of the craftspeople and their community.
Victor Alfredo Aguila Sanchez, an anthropologist, and founder of BSP (along with former world bank head James Wo
lfensohn) and his team – which includes a chemical engineer, sociologist, ceramics production specialists and ceramists themselves – have developed a unique lead-free training program in collaboration with Mexican universities, research laboratories, public health agencies, NGOs and government institutions all with the goal of pressuring this beautiful tradition – and the health of those who practice it.
BSP’s program helps potters build kilns which use 30% to 40% less fuel than traditional kilns. In addition, potters are shown how to produce their wares without lead and then given assistance on marketing them. This training is done while the artisans are still working and thus does not disrupt their business.
This cause became yet another one of Pinedo’s when he and his wife visited Michoacan to learn more about BSP. Shortly after the visit,
Pinedo joined BSP’s board and since then has become an invaluable member of the team. Anna O’Leary, Director Barro Sin Plomo U.S.A, admires the Pinedos for their determination to maintain a thriving business while honoring and improving the lives of those who work for them. “We are grateful to Cisco Brothers which is not only striving to improve the health and environment of many communities in the U.S. but is also committed to improving the health and prosperity of these artisans and their communities in Mexico,†said O’Leary.
Once again the environmental Cisco Brothers has taken their concern for the environment and those who live in it and made it an art form. Thanks.
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Barro Sin Plomo pottery is available at Cisco Brothers on San Vicente Blvd in Brentwood.
