Crafting mementos of Christ

Olivia Lutwama shows some of the items made at the institute. Photo by Josline Adiru

The artistic crucifixes of Jesus Christ, and statue of Mary the Mother of Jesus, capture your attention as one enters Art workshop at Daniel Comboni Vocational school in Gulu.

Several artistic pieces hang on the workshop walls ranging from that of Jesus Christ on the cross, Mary carrying Jesus when he was still a toddler and many others.

The vocational institute was started in 1993, by the Comboni Missionaries. It trains craftsmen, technicians in the field of mechanical engineering and metal works, motor vehicle technicians, electrical installation, carpentry and joinery and building and concrete practice.

Oliva Lutwala, an artist who works at the institute art department and also as a trainer at the workshop, says at the moment the department has 10 students who are acquiring both practical and theoretical skills.

“I am in the practical field and in most cases when the students perfect their skills, whatever they make is sold,” she says. Lutwala, 27, holds a Bachelors degree of Arts in Education from Ndejje University. After finishing her degree in 2014, she chose to work in her home community to impart the skills to the local population.

“My passion and love for art is great, I communicate through the works of my hands,” she explains.

Other products made at the workshop are the Tabernacle, where priests keep the Holy Communion and wine that are used in the churches. They also make crosses for graves, gravestone slabs, crucifixes and foundation stones.

The materials used
Tarazo stones, white cement, Limestone, moles , concrete cement, sand, plaster –paris (liquid porridge- like), Mosaic stone and wood glue are used to make the crafts.

“The mosaic stone is mixed with white cement and tarazo stone to form paste after a day, it is then placed in a mole of different arts or statues to create whatever art client needs,” says Lutwala.

“It stays for four to six days, depending on the size before it is removed from the moles for final touches.” We make the art pieces of different colours including pink, white or black depending on a client’s taste.”

Peak season
The peak season is between October and December. “Most of our customers are religious people who buy church statues and crucifixes, gravestones, slabs and other pieces are bought by the general public.

Our clients come from all over East Africa and beyond. Many people hold last funeral prayers and memorials for their loved ones so it is very profitable,” she reveals.
Besides this key role in the community, according to the principal Richard Ochen, the institution also enrols students in vairous courses including mechanical engineering, motor vehicle engineering, enterpreneurship, among others. It is also involved in non-formal training for school drop outs, child mothers, traumatised youth.
Prices
The cost of crucifix ranges between Shs95,000 – Shs250,000 depending on the size. The tabernacles costs between Shs 650,000 and Shs1.5m, standard gravestone costs Shs 450,000 for black and brown, Shs 600,000 grey and green, while Tarazo flour costs Shs 420,000 per square metre.