Nicola Mirenda – Ceramic artist born in 1972
Nicola Mirenda is a Sicilian ceramic artist from Santo Stefano di Camastra. His handcrafted creations stand out for their innovative and creative character. While preserving local tradition, his workshop employs ancient crafting techniques and a wood-fired kiln, adhering to production methods dating back to the early 20th century. The production process remains true to tradition, but the finished product is enriched with a modern and design-oriented touch, making each piece unique and original.
The story of Nicola Mirenda
Once upon a time, there was a ceramic artist who deeply loved his craft, and who had to embark on a long journey to learn it. That ceramic artist… was me. It was purely by chance that I discovered this wonderful world—I wasn’t born into this ancient art. I was born in 1972, a year like many others, and spent my childhood among the narrow streets of Santo Stefano di Camastra. During my adolescence, particularly in the ’80s, all boys were encouraged to learn a trade and discover its secrets. So when my turn came, I decided I wanted to become a ceramic artist, or at least to study clay modeling and shaping, and learn about the fire and alchemical recipes.
I vividly remember the first three workshops I attended during the summer. My first year, still filled with childish innocence and fears, felt like embarking on a new adventure, excited by the novelty—but all my enthusiasm shattered in less than half a morning. I was still too young, as Biagio Zammataro, the workshop owner, pointed out to my father, advising him to bring me back the following year. That became my first and last day in that workshop for the year.
Iwona
Nicola Mirenda met Iwona, a woman of Polish origin, whom he later married and who also became a skilled ceramic artist.
The story of Iwona
I had just finished high school, and one Sunday, as often happened, I found myself visiting a local market in Rzeszów, mostly frequented by Ukrainian vendors. I haven’t introduced myself yet—I’m Iwona, at that time a young Polish woman. I was approached by a Russian gold seller, and I can still remember the exact words of that woman with the scarf on her head, who, for 5 złoty, read my cards and told me my future: „W krainie Cyklopów znajdziesz miłość i szczęście,” which means in English: “You will find love and happiness in the land of the Cyclopes.”
Suddenly, the pages of my old epic book resurfaced in my mind. She was talking about Italy’s largest island, “Sicily.” I know you might not believe it, but a few days later I received a call from an old school friend, who told me there was an opportunity to work in Italy, so I left. I traveled all over the peninsula, eventually reaching Sicily, precisely Santo Stefano di Camastra, where destiny led me to Nicola, a ceramic artist. And with him and his craft, it was love at first sight.