From June 17 - 29, 2006 potters from the United States will travel to a small village in Belize, Central America. They will contribute to a meaningful community development project in Central America aimed at providing a sustainable economic base for low to no income individuals who reside in Indian Church Village in northern Belize. This project is attempting to train individuals in basic pottery skills in order to allow them tap into the profitable tourism market that is adjacent to their village in the Lamanai Archaeological Reserve. We aim to utilize ancient Maya forms, styles, designs and even methods in order to meet this goal. Visitors to this area appreciate objects made in the local area and whose designs are based on items specific to the site they visited. This workshop will be headed up by David Hendley who is the President of the Board of Directors of the Potters Council of the American Ceramic Society and a columnist for Clay Times. It will be organized by Laura H oward of Beyond Touring who is an interested archaeologist who assists with the community development project.

Dates: June 17 - 29, 2005 - 13 Days

Program Costs: $1,420.00 (ALL expenses in Belize, transfer, accommodations, food, tours, workshop supplies and classes, room tax, and departure tax)

Brief itinerary:
June 17 - 27

Transfer to Indian Church: Road - River Safari - New River & Lagoon

Accommodations: Indian Church Village, northern Belize Indian Church Village Artisans - Pottery Workshop & Preparation (daily classes, clay collection & processing) Tour Lamanai Archaeological Reserve (return trips will be organized) Jungle birding Medicinal plant walk/tour

June 27 - 29

2-Nights on the island of San Pedro

2 stop snorkel Hol Chan Marine Reserve

Pool, beach, and shopping time (if desired)
 

For more information please contact laura at laura@beyondtouring.com. or contact Billie Mitchell @ livingspiritpottery@comcast.net