An upcoming film by Osa Atoe and Amilcar Navarro

In 2020, there was a widespread reckoning with the lack of representation in many aspects of American culture and society. In the field of ceramics in particular, many organizations rushed to elevate the most visible (often younger) artists who could easily be found through their social media presences. What was missing in that frenzy to quickly correct the omission of people of color in the field was a deep and careful investigation into the histories of underrepresented voices in clay. Beyond notions of representation, we draw on our ancestral African values in which the wisdom of elders is valued and respected. Our documentary "Vessels for the Human Spirit" tells the story of the life and work of beloved ceramicist David MacDonald, a retired Syracuse University professor and master potter whose art career was born out of the tumultuous socio-political climate of the 1960s. This film is an initiative of Kaabo Clay Collective, a social and mutual aid network for Black ceramicists. We understand that honoring and preserving the legacies of our elders gives strength to future generations.