Cores da Terra stands for ‘Colours of the Earth’. The ceramics are all handmade by using natural pigments and every piece is unique. But the social aspect is also very important; the studio has become well-known for developing and educating local artisans and contributes to the economic and cultural development of one of the poorest areas of Brazil.

Selma Abdon Calheira , born in 1958 in Ibirataia, Brazil, manages the Cores da Terra studio, providing jobs to over 100 people from humble origins who were patiently educated and professionalized as highly qualified ceramists. The name of the studio was coined by Selma because of her lifelong interest in clay and the experimental use of natural pigments.