Magali Arieta

I was born in Rio de Janeiro, and soon afterwards I moved to Brasilia, the new capital which was then under construction.My father was one of the pioneers, among the first to go there.

It was an extraordinary experience.To witness the construction of a city with its bold modern architecture had a lasting influence on me.

As I was growing up I always seemed to be carrying my watercolors, my coloring pencils and drawing paper. It was a constant challenge for me.

1992- My first experience with clay. Several ceramics sculptures, mostly animals in terracotta, hollowing out and burnishing the pieces.

1994- I felt the need to use other techniques, which I learned at the studio of Luzia Perez, after four years of fruitful work.

1998- I began to attend workshops, among them Eduard Hermann’s, Daphne Carnegy’s and Mathias Ostermann’s. I was introduced to maiolica. I travelled to the USA to attend Andreas Gill’s workshop, at Anderson Ranch, Snowmass Village, Colorado (fifteen days experiencing ceramics with the great American masters ) .

2000-2001- I took part in the production of the exhibition “Flora and Fauna”. I also presented a maiolica piece. For four months I participated in a workshop for maiolica tile painting that were part of the Saturday and Sunday morning exhibitions.We used the production to build a pyramid with 248 “Flora and Fauna” tiles. I participated in workshops for volunteers who worked with poor communities and learning-impaired teenagers at the Botanical Gardens.

2001 I was chosen president of the ACE-Rio (Association of Rio de Janeiro's ceramists ) for a year.I created a database and links at the ceramics site www.ceramicanorio.com and proceeded with the voluntary work, at the Museu da Republica. I also organized the 10th Exhibition of the association "DATERRA", which featured a lecture by the director of the Museu de Ciências da Terra and a seminar organized by Sylvia Goyanna and Solange Mano. At last Mary Di Iório www.marydiiorio.hpg.ig.com.br/clipping.htm and Sylvia Goyanna did a lecture about Contemporany Ceramics.

2002 At the studio of Magali Arieta I organized courses of Engobes and Colored Clay taught by Frieda Durian and Big Scale taught by Heloísa Alvim. Other courses are being prepared, and other ceramists will be invited to talk about their work.

At the end of the year 2002 I was invited to take part in exhibitions of former students of Barro Oco who are now professional artists. My hand print can be found on the “walk of fame” at this gallery, and it is a great honor for me to know my work is appreciated.