{"id":1798786,"date":"2026-02-28T00:00:00","date_gmt":"2026-02-27T21:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/?p=1798786"},"modified":"2026-02-28T00:00:00","modified_gmt":"2026-02-27T21:00:00","slug":"inside-the-sacred-valley-ceramics-studio-referencing-ancient-peruvian-practices","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/?p=1798786","title":{"rendered":"Inside the Sacred Valley Ceramics Studio Referencing Ancient Peruvian Practices"},"content":{"rendered":"<div class=\"entry-content prose-colossal max-w-none\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-group alignfull is-style-default entry-header is-nowrap is-layout-flex wp-container-core-group-is-layout-6c531013 wp-block-group-is-layout-flex\">\n<figure class=\"colo-post-featured-image wp-block-post-featured-image\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"2000\" height=\"3000\" src=\"https:\/\/www.thisiscolossal.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/seminarios-7.jpg\" class=\"attachment-post-thumbnail size-post-thumbnail wp-post-image\" alt=\"Pablo Seminario holds up a ceramic work in his sacred valley studio\" style=\"object-fit:cover\"><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">All photos by Jack DeMarzo, courtesy of Murmur Ring, shared with permission<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<div class=\"wp-block-group post-title is-vertical is-layout-flex wp-container-core-group-is-layout-0bc941e6 wp-block-group-is-layout-flex\">\n<h1 class=\"alignfull wp-block-post-title\">Inside the Sacred Valley Ceramics Studio Referencing Ancient Peruvian Practices<\/h1>\n<div class=\"wp-block-group alignfull post-meta is-layout-flex wp-block-group-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-post-date\"><time datetime=\"2026-02-28T06:28:00-06:00\">February 28, 2026<\/time><\/div>\n<div class=\"taxonomy-category wp-block-post-terms\"><a class=\"category-art\" href=\"https:\/\/www.thisiscolossal.com\/category\/art\/\" rel=\"tag\">Art<\/a><a class=\"category-craft\" href=\"https:\/\/www.thisiscolossal.com\/category\/craft\/\" rel=\"tag\">Craft<\/a><\/div>\n<div class=\"wp-block-post-author-name\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.thisiscolossal.com\/author\/gebert\/\" target=\"_self\" class=\"wp-block-post-author-name__link\">Grace Ebert<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"wp-block-group alignfull post-share-group is-layout-flow wp-block-group-is-layout-flow\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-group is-nowrap is-layout-flex wp-container-core-group-is-layout-6c531013 wp-block-group-is-layout-flex\">\n<ul class=\"wp-block-outermost-social-sharing has-visible-labels has-icon-color is-style-logos-only is-layout-flex wp-block-outermost-social-sharing-is-layout-flex\">\n<li style=\"color: #1c1e0d\" class=\"outermost-social-sharing-link outermost-social-sharing-link-facebook has-crow-color wp-block-outermost-social-sharing-link\">\n\t<a href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/sharer\/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.thisiscolossal.com%2F2026%2F02%2Fceramicas-seminario-sacred-valley-peru%2F&amp;title=Inside%20the%20Sacred%20Valley%20Ceramics%20Studio%20Referencing%20Ancient%20Peruvian%20Practices\" aria-label=\"Share\" rel=\"noopener nofollow\" target=\"_blank\" class=\"wp-block-outermost-social-sharing-link-anchor\"><br \/>\n\t\t\t\t<span class=\"wp-block-outermost-social-sharing-link-label \"><br \/>\n\t\t\tShare\t\t<\/span><br \/>\n\t<\/a>\n<\/li>\n<li style=\"color: #1c1e0d\" class=\"outermost-social-sharing-link outermost-social-sharing-link-mail has-crow-color wp-block-outermost-social-sharing-link\">\n\t<a href=\"https:\/\/www.thisiscolossal.com\/cdn-cgi\/l\/email-protection#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\" aria-label=\"Email\" class=\"wp-block-outermost-social-sharing-link-anchor\"><br \/>\n\t\t\t\t<span class=\"wp-block-outermost-social-sharing-link-label \"><br \/>\n\t\t\tEmail\t\t<\/span><br \/>\n\t<\/a>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><button class=\"simplefavorite-button preset\" data-postid=\"470273\" data-siteid=\"1\" data-groupid=\"1\" data-favoritecount=\"0\"><i class=\"sf-icon-bookmark\"><\/i>Bookmark<\/button>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>Just north of Cusco in the Sacred Valley of the Incas, a small studio draws on ancient Peruvian traditions. The town of Urubamba is home to <a href=\"https:\/\/seminarioceramicas.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Ceramicas Seminarios<\/a>, a workshop founded by husband and wife Pablo Seminario and Maril\u00fa Behar in 1980. For decades, the pair and their team have been crafting sculptures, functional wares, and decorative objects rooted in the culture of the valley.<\/p>\n<p>As a child, Seminario was fascinated by <em><a href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Huaco_(pottery)\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">huacos<\/a><\/em>, pre-Columbian ceramic works often utilized for Andean rituals and ceremonies rather than everyday life. This interest developed throughout his university years and beyond, as he researched the various techniques and designs that characterized Peru\u2019s ancient cultures. Seminario and Behar ultimately teamed up to collaborate on a unique method that approached these enduring practices through a contemporary lens. \u201cIt is not about reproducing the past but about engaging in dialogue with it,\u201d says Kusi Seminario Behar, the artists\u2019 son who now collaborates with his parents.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.thisiscolossal.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/seminarios-10.jpg\" class=\"swipebox\" data-rel=\"lightbox-gallery-470273\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"2000\" height=\"3000\" src=\"https:\/\/www.thisiscolossal.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/seminarios-10.jpg\" alt=\"the inside of ceramicas seminarios studio with glazes in terracotta pots on a table, along with other art supplies\" class=\"wp-image-470404\"><\/a><\/figure>\n<p>Today, the studio\u2019s team of about 25 produces a range of objects in the \u201cSeminario Style,\u201d one defined by a sculptural impulse, etched linework, and local materials. \u201cWe apply the same level of care and rigor to all pieces,\u201d Seminario Behar says. \u201cMany of our utilitarian pieces have a strong sculptural quality, and several of the more artistic works originate from everyday forms and functions. We do not establish rigid boundaries between these categories; all are part of the same vision.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Materials are sourced from within Peru to maintain the integrity of the practice, and the artisans helm each part of the process, from clay preparation to hand-building and throwing on a wheel to refining and painting. \u201cFiring the pieces is a carefully controlled process. In more complex works, there is internal engineering: carefully calculated joints, slow drying times, and precise planning to prevent cracks and ensure structural stability,\u201d Seminario Behar adds.<\/p>\n<p>In addition to selling their works, Ceramicas Seminarios also taps into the local tourism industry and educational opportunities like <a href=\"https:\/\/www.thisiscolossal.com\/2025\/11\/murmur-ring-peru-sacred-valley-immersion\/\">Murmur Ring\u2019s immersion program<\/a> to support its mission. These twin pillars provide financial backing and visibility. \u201cSharing these techniques and making their complexity visible is essential so that they are not lost, and people can truly appreciate the work behind each piece,\u201d Seminario Behar says. \u201cIt allows us to sustain the project, broaden its reach, and continue researching and producing long-term.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Find available pieces on <a href=\"https:\/\/www.etsy.com\/shop\/CeramicasSeminario\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Etsy<\/a>, and follow the project on <a href=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/ceramicaseminario\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Instagram<\/a>.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.thisiscolossal.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/seminarios-1.jpg\" class=\"swipebox\" data-rel=\"lightbox-gallery-470273\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1333\" src=\"https:\/\/www.thisiscolossal.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/seminarios-1.jpg\" alt=\"Pablo Seminario holds up a ceramic work in his sacred valley studio\" class=\"wp-image-470395\"><\/a><\/figure>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.thisiscolossal.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/seminarios-8.jpg\" class=\"swipebox\" data-rel=\"lightbox-gallery-470273\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"2000\" height=\"3000\" src=\"https:\/\/www.thisiscolossal.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/seminarios-8.jpg\" alt=\"a sculptural work by ceramicas seminarios\" class=\"wp-image-470402\"><\/a><\/figure>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.thisiscolossal.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/seminarios-12.jpg\" class=\"swipebox\" data-rel=\"lightbox-gallery-470273\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"2000\" height=\"3000\" src=\"https:\/\/www.thisiscolossal.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/seminarios-12.jpg\" alt=\"the inside of ceramicas seminarios studio with clay slab works and framed works on the wall. a table with sculptural pieces is below\" class=\"wp-image-470406\"><\/a><\/figure>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.thisiscolossal.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/seminarios-9.jpg\" class=\"swipebox\" data-rel=\"lightbox-gallery-470273\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"2000\" height=\"3000\" src=\"https:\/\/www.thisiscolossal.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/seminarios-9.jpg\" alt=\"the inside of ceramicas seminarios studio with glazes in terracotta pots \" class=\"wp-image-470403\"><\/a><\/figure>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.thisiscolossal.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/seminarios-6.jpg\" class=\"swipebox\" data-rel=\"lightbox-gallery-470273\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"2000\" height=\"3000\" src=\"https:\/\/www.thisiscolossal.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/seminarios-6.jpg\" alt=\"a collection of mugs by ceramicas seminarios placed in perfectly straight rows\" class=\"wp-image-470400\"><\/a><\/figure>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.thisiscolossal.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/seminarios-3.jpg\" class=\"swipebox\" data-rel=\"lightbox-gallery-470273\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"2000\" height=\"3000\" src=\"https:\/\/www.thisiscolossal.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/seminarios-3.jpg\" alt=\"a man works on a piece on a wheel within ceramicas seminarios studio\" class=\"wp-image-470397\"><\/a><\/figure>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.thisiscolossal.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/seminarios-11.jpg\" class=\"swipebox\" data-rel=\"lightbox-gallery-470273\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"2000\" height=\"3000\" src=\"https:\/\/www.thisiscolossal.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/seminarios-11.jpg\" alt=\"the inside of ceramicas seminarios studio with framed works on the wall. art supplies are on the table below\" class=\"wp-image-470405\"><\/a><\/figure>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.thisiscolossal.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/seminarios-4.jpg\" class=\"swipebox\" data-rel=\"lightbox-gallery-470273\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1334\" src=\"https:\/\/www.thisiscolossal.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/seminarios-4.jpg\" alt=\"Pablo Seminario holds up a ceramic work in his sacred valley studio\" class=\"wp-image-470398\"><\/a><\/figure>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.thisiscolossal.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/seminarios-2.jpg\" class=\"swipebox\" data-rel=\"lightbox-gallery-470273\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1334\" src=\"https:\/\/www.thisiscolossal.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/seminarios-2.jpg\" alt=\"the inside of ceramicas seminarios studio with glazes in terracotta pots on a table, along with other art supplies\" class=\"wp-image-470396\"><\/a><\/figure>\n<aside class=\"after-entry\" role=\"complementary\" aria-label=\"After Entry\">\n<section id=\"block-16\" class=\"widget widget_block widget_text\">\n<p><mark style=\"background-color:#88caf0\" class=\"has-inline-color\"><strong>Do stories and artists like this matter to you?<\/strong><\/mark> Become a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.thisiscolossal.com\/members\/\" data-type=\"page\" data-id=\"118516\">Colossal Member<\/a> now, and support independent arts publishing.<\/p>\n<\/section>\n<section id=\"block-17\" class=\"widget widget_block\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns are-vertically-aligned-top is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-28f84493 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column 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