Sculpture Program
Research Opportunity: Ancestral Techniques and Ecological Craft Practices
This unique sculpture program offers a rare opportunity to work closely with local farmers and artisans who carry generations of knowledge in quincha building, a traditional construction method that uses natural, locally sourced materials. Sculptors can also collaborate with Kechwa ceramicists, who guide artists through collecting and preparing local clay and other materials for ceramic work.
Artists can hike into the protected Napo region to visit Gopal trees, where this resilient natural resin is harvested. Once melted, Gopal can be used to seal and protect sculptures from the elements. In San Roque, rubber trees (caucho) grow abundantly. Although rubber is not yet part of the ceramics program, local expertise exists to harvest and process it into sheets for future sculptural applications.
Materials are gathered directly from the land of Don Ángel and the surrounding area. These include atadijo (a bark-based rope used in construction), caña brava (a slender bamboo), bombonaje for basket weaving, palm, and clay mixed with grasses for quincha structures.
At its core, the program emphasizes working in direct relationship with the land—learning ancestral techniques and thoughtfully integrating traditional materials into contemporary sculptural practice.
Included in the Basic Residency
Indigenous Ceramics Class in chunchiwi
This immersive ceramics experience begins with a one- to two-hour hike to the indigenous Kechwa community of Chunchiwi, offering a rare opportunity to learn directly from a local artisan where traditional knowledge is still practiced.
artists will take part in a hands-on ceramics class led by a Kechwa potter, learning the traditional coil (rolled clay) method. You will create a basic ceramic bowl and decorate your piece using naturally colored clay.
The process includes participating in a traditional Shuntu firing—an open-fire technique passed down through generations.
Class details:
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One- to two-hour hike to the Chunchiwi community
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Traditional ceramics class using the coil method with a Kechwa artisan
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Create and paint a basic ceramic bowl using colored clay
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Participate in a traditional Shuntu firing
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Cost: 35 soles per class (paid directly to the artisan)
Sachaqa is located near several indigenous Kechwa villages, where ancestral practices continue, though they are becoming increasingly rare. Trina shares these traditions with great care and respect, supporting cultural preservation while helping participants reconnect with the natural world through art.
Traditionally, clay is kneaded by foot and mixed with shaño—a powder made from previously fired pots (grog). Once dried, the vessels are fired using the Shuntu open-fire process.
The return walk from the community offers sweeping views of the landscape. Along the way, participants can collect natural pigments, forming a palette of reds, oranges, yellows, greens, and browns drawn directly from the surrounding environment.
Artists will also have the opportunity to collect clay within the village of Chunchiwi and grind shañu (fired pots crushed into powder). Petrona, a Kechwa artisan who lives near the village of San Roque, will guide us to local clay sources and demonstrate how to grind the shanu by hand using a large stone before mixing it into the clay.
experiment with Kechwa ceramic tecniques
The Ceramics Program at Sachaqa offers a unique opportunity to engage deeply with ancestral techniques and traditional Andean ceramics. A highlight of the program is learning to build a large coiled tinaja pot with Petrona. This process, which takes two full mornings, guides artists through the traditional methods of coiling, shaping, and firing a substantial vessel in an open shuntu fire. Artists also take part in preparing the clay, including collecting, grinding with a rumi stone, and mixing by foot, gaining hands-on experience in each stage of production.
Beyond the tinaja, the program invites sculptors to explore ceramic sculpture inspired by traditional forms. Materials are sourced from the land, emphasizing the connection between the clay, the community, and the surrounding ecosystem. The Ceramics Program is designed not only to teach technical skills but also to immerse participants in the cultural, ritual, and ecological context of Andean ceramic practice.
not included in the basic residency
Visit the Chacra/farm of Don Angel
Search for materials such as ‘Atadijo’ natural rope traditionally used in construction. A small type of bamboo called Canabrava or a more delicate version called Chicosa. We can learn the technique of making baskets with a material that we strip from a plant. We carry the materials back to the studio or if you are unable to carry materials. Experience what it is like for the people who work on the farms and carry food and materials for shelter.
1-hour: Hike to Don Angel’s Farm
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Scenic hike to Don Angel’s farm, where you’ll be guided by Don Angel and translated by Trina.
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Along the way, you’ll learn about various ecological construction techniques and the use of local medicinal plants as you collect materials for your basket weaving.
Afternoon: Basket Weaving Workshop optional
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Return to Don Angel’s home for a hands-on basket weaving workshop. Don Angel will teach you traditional techniques, and you’ll have the opportunity to create your own small basket to take home. This is a time consuming and hard workshop. But once you learn the pattern you can use it in sculpture.
Includes: English speaking translator, courses and all that we can carry materials.
Price: person s/.150 soles $45 USD
Includes: Teacher Don Angel and materials. A translator isn't necessary as its more important to observe.
Basket weaving class s/50 $15 USD
Learn ecological building techniques
Sachaqa was built using ecological building techniques and there are various local builders in the village who can weave palm for roofing and show us how to build a quincha wall.
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Palm Roof weaving: We can collect the palm leaf on the land of Sachaqa for palm roof weaving.
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Quincha building: We can collect Cana Brava on the land of Don Angel, the clay and grass will be brought to the land on a horse.
Palm Roof Weaving - Includes: Teacher Don Angel, materials and translator s/100 $30 USD
Quincha building - Includes Don Angel, materials and translator s/150 $45 USD
Hard Hike to the conservation area napo - gopal trees - alternatively we can buy the resin from a farmer
Napo Conservation Area is a protected forest zone located, within the Cordillera Escalera Regional Conservation Area (ACR Cordillera Escalera) in San Roque de Cumbaza.
This area is rich in biodiversity, home to primary forests, medicinal plants, and countless species of birds, insects, and mammals. It also plays a vital role in preserving water sources, regulating the local climate, and maintaining ecological balance.
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Starting Point: San Roque de Cumbaza: Begin your journey early in the morning from the town of San Roque de Cumbaza. Ensure you are well-prepared with sufficient water, snacks, and appropriate hiking gear.
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Descending to Añakiwi River: Continue your hike down towards the Añakiwi River. This spot is an excellent place to take a break, refresh yourself, and enjoy the natural beauty of the area.
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Climbing the Second Mountain: After crossing Añakiwi River, prepare for a challenging ascent up the second mountain. This part of the trail is steep and demands good physical fitness. The climb is strenuous but rewarding, offering incredible views at various points.
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Forests of Copal Trees: Enter dense forests dominated by copal trees. The trail here is narrow and can be quite wild, requiring careful navigation. Enjoy the serene environment and the fragrance of copal resin.
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learn from an expert about the forest and how to collect Gopal.
Includes: Association of Guides teacher, materials and translator s/200 $60 USD
Exhibition of your work -optional
At Sachaqa we give artists the opportunity to show their sculpture or we can fire your work in front of a live audience. Student/ Professional artist talk to invited guests – explanation of past work and development of new works made at Sachaqa.
