PROGRAM OVERVIEW
SOLM Atelier de Barro Ceramics & Leadership Intensive
SAB Intensive is our intensive is a six-month leadership and ceramics training program for women and youth from Calhau. Our first cohort will consist of 10 students. We are currently finalizing the curriculum, partnerships & necessary materials to open applications in March 2026
Location
Mindelo and Calhau, São Vicente, Cabo Verde
Project Type
Education
Creation
Preservation
For context São Vicente is rich in cultural heritage, creativity, and natural resources, yet access to relevant education and training remains limited, particularly in rural communities such as Calhau. Many residents are excluded from the island’s growing tourism and cultural sectors due to a lack of pathways that translate traditional knowledge and creative skill into viable livelihoods.
At the same time, local craft traditions and material knowledge risk being undervalued or disconnected from contemporary economic opportunity. SAB responds to this gap by grounding learning in place, material, and community while connecting participants to practical skills and future-facing tools.
The program runs over six months and blends three core elements:
Hands-on ceramics training, from material preparation to finished product
Entrepreneurship and design, focused on product development, pricing, storytelling, and production workflows
Leadership and confidence-building, supporting self-awareness, collaboration, and peer learning
Participants engage with clay from earth to product, developing material literacy alongside creative and professional skills. Learning is delivered through a mix of guided instruction, open studio practice, group critique, and collaborative projects, totaling approximately 150–200 training hours.
The program culminates in a capstone collection and public exhibition, allowing participants to present their work and learning within a shared community context
SAB is intentionally designed to be accessible to local participants and working parents. The program prioritizes women as knowledge-holders and actively addresses barriers to participation through full scholarships, stipends, and supportive learning structures.
To learn more about our upcoming program and or partnership opportunities please contact us directly at hello@solm.land
The program is grounded in SOLM’s dedication to community-based
education and regenerative practice.
