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Etelvina Rosa dos Santos was born in Lajes (SC) and moved to Florianópolis after getting married. Her husband worked with clay at the school in Florianópolis. Her two sons are now teachers at the same institution. “The art of moulding clay has no future. We can’t live just off clay, we sell very little and tourists don’t always buy. I started moulding by myself, and with God. In the past, women weren’t allowed to use the wheel because they wore skirts, so they had to mould, making figurines. Around here there are lots of women making figurines. These are our roots, but if we don’t get any help this art will die.” Etelvina fights against hard times but as she says, potters and figurine makers have always done that – . Today, at 70 years old, Etelvina teaches and gives workshops for the government or at private institutions to complement her earnings. “But that’s only in the high season. Then it all disappears.” |
