Join us in celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month at Clay Art Center Shop with a collection of handmade salad bowls inspired by the artists’ ancestral roots in Puerto Rico.

Clay Art Center Shop celebrates Hispanic Heritage Month with a collection of functional ceramics by Philadelphia-based artist Nitza Walesca Sierra. Inspired by the artist's ancestral roots in Puerto Rico, as well as the patterns and colors of printed fabrics, this exciting collection of salad bowls was created specifically for this special shop-based event.

Artist Bio

Born in the Bronx and raised in Northern Philadelphia, Nitza Walesca Sierra is a Caribeña ceramic artist and educator whose work combines a multitude of influences to communicate nuanced ideas of the self. It is through her artistic practice that Nitza embodies a sense of deep and meaningful ancestral connection to her place of origin: La Isla del Encanto, Puerto Rico. 

Inspired by her mother’s strong community presence, Nitza creates vessels rooted in the strength and tenacity of matriarchal femininity. The works are also deeply informed by both Taino and African cultures, building upon centuries of ceramic history to create timeless motifs. These traditions infuse Nitza’s work with an elegance and symmetry that evidence the care in their creation. Each piece of ceramic holds a sacred sense of place, belonging, and cultural specificity that cannot be ignored.

In addition to her full-time studio practice, Nitza also works as a full-time art educator through The Clay Studio, Philadelphia. Through community engagement and outreach programs, she brings ceramics instruction to people of all ages who would not otherwise have the opportunity to touch clay.

Clay Art Center Shop is open for in-person shopping Mondays 10am – 3pm, and Tuesday through Saturday 10am – 5pm. Our online Shop is available anytime through our website. In-person pick-up for local customers, or shipping nationwide throughout the United States is available.

The mission of the Shop at Clay Art Center is to promote the work of both Clay Art Center artists and the work of guest artists whose work manifests a range of concepts, styles, and diversity of perspectives that informs and inspires our audience. The work available in Clay Art Center Shop aims to present the highest artistic aesthetics in handmade, non- commercial ceramics. In presenting the best we have to offer, our goal is to further not only the use and appreciation of fine handmade ceramics in the home, but the appreciation of ceramics in all forms.