The 'Mijas is craftwork' cycle, which offered the first of the three workshops scheduled for last weekend, has started with great success. The Department for Culture at the Mijas Town Hall is behind this initiative that promotes craftwork by local master craftworkers. The first workshop was about painting on tiles using the majolica technique, given by ceramist José Angulo. 

The artist from Mijas explained that "it is basically about painting, with various colours, on tiles. Normally, on ceramic, but in this case on tile. The tiles are not glazed, a layer of white glaze has to be applied, then the edges have to be cleaned and the tile has to be well prepared. Then you draw, or use a stencil, pass the drawing over one or more tiles at a time, and then paint them with pigments which are based on mineral oxides. Once they are finished, they are put in the lockers to dry and go to the kiln". 

A total of 15 students were able to learn how to use this technique and ended up delighted with the formula and the results. This is the case of Esther Ramos, who said that "I really wanted to learn how to work with ceramics, which seems very easy but we are seeing that it is not easy, it is not as easy as it seems. I was very curious. I would like to continue with José Angulo if he does more workshops, or with the Mijas Town Hall, as it is really very gratifying that they organise this type of introductory workshops on handicrafts".  

For her part, another participant, Mónica Moreno, said that "I am learning it very well, I am loving the technique, although it is complicated, it is not easy. You have to have a steady hand, a lot of patience, and we've only been here a short time, but I think it's going well. I'm really enjoying it, I'm very happy to be taking part". 

The Culture cycle is made up of three craft workshops, this one on ceramics, another on esparto grass with Sonia Lekuona and a third on leather goods with Liana Popa. Each of the workshops will be repeated on Saturday and Sunday. All the places have already been filled and all the craft workshops are very well received and well attended. According to the councillor for Culture, Verónica Ensberg (PSOE), "they are a great success every time we take up the free cultural workshops. We always try to run them in several cycles, in order to make progress. We also invite all students who want to participate to collaborate with the Food Bank. Here you always learn and enjoy". 

The next workshop will be esparto basket weaving on Saturday 7th and Sunday 8th of October, places are full but there is a waiting list. You can register at cultura@mijas.es. Don't forget that all the workshops are supporting local charities, and you only have to bring 3 kg of non-perishable food items for the Food Bank.

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