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NEXT WORKSHOPS 2018
Contact us via e-mail (pitaescuela@hotmail.com) or follow us on FACEBOOK to find out more about our upcoming events!
During the past 20 years, we have acquired an enormous amount of useful knowledge about using agave in many different ways; we find it worth sharing this with you in a number of workshop concepts that we offer. Our workshops include different themes ranging from environmental and cultural aspects and we are always open for local and international Colaborations.
We offer personalized workshops for groups of at least 4 people. If you are interested, get in touch to recieve more information and specify your project!
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Contact Us
Asociación PITA-ESCUELA del Río Aguas
Los Molinos del Río Aguas, Buzón 88
04270 - SORBAS, Almería, España
Tlf.: +34/630 66 18 65 (Timbe)
E-Mail: pitaescuela@hotmail.com
Facebook: Pita Escuela
Working the Wood from the Desert
Do you want to learn how to make your own Didgeridoo, your own shaker or African mask? THE AGAVE WOOD is a true 100% sostainable resource obtained from the only desert in Europe. It grows 1.5m per week (!!), it is beautiful, resistant, easy to work, with a great educational value and endless possibilities….
IN OUR WORKSHOPS you get to create your own musical instruments and crafts and you can even specialize in the production of a specific product. Made with sustainable wood from the only desert in Europe, we create high quality unique pieces, hand-sanded and finished off with natural oils, using non-toxic, moisture-resistant wood-glue and solar energy for all our machines.
THE WORKSHOP WILL BE DIRECTED by a true multifaceted teacher with more than 20 years of experience! THE PLACE of accomplishment will be the PITA-SCHOOL, an ideal place for the inspiration and elaboration of your own creations!
TO JOIN IN, you do not need any advanced knowledge about wood-working, but what we do welcome is an advanced desire to grow, to learn, to share and to explore.
Click on the different modalities shown below, choose the one that you like and contact us to consult prices and specify your customized project!
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BASIC-WORKSHOP I
This workshop is a short, practical introduction to the processing of agave wood whereby each participant will work to make a small item to take away with them. It will be the first time you come into contact with the wood and the necessary tools.
LENGTH: 1 hour / PARTICIPANTS: 4 – 10 people
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BASIC-WORKSHOP II
This workshop includes the BASIC WS I with an additional introduction to the botanical aspects of the agave and its integral usage.
LENGTH: 2 hours / PARTICIPANTS: 4 – 8 people
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PRACTICAL WORKSHOP
This workshop focuses on practical work. You can choose between various products and we will teach you how to make them. You will get familiarized with the different tools, agave varieties, wood odours and colours. Botanical aspects of the agave and its integral usage are included too.
LENGTH: 3 hours / PARTICIPANTS: 4 – 8 people
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INTENSIVE WORKSHOP
The intensive workshop is especially designed for people with the interest to deepen or even specialize in the processing of agave wood. We are focused on the production of musical instruments and handicrafts. You will get to know more tools as the practical aspect of this workshop has priority. To deepen the relationship to the plant, botanical aspects of the agave and its integral usage are part of this workshop too. Photos, video screenings and an archive full of scientific information, reports and analyses can be provided if you want to become an expert in Agavology.
LENGTH: 3 hours to 5 days; this can be chosen individually and adapted to the needs of the group. / PARTICIPANTS: 4 – 8 people
Wood Harvesting Workshops
For our work we harvest the wood from different agave species. Each kind has its own characteristics (like colours, smells, durability, etc.); some are better for drum making, others are better for flutes, etc. The right time for harvesting is important for the quality of the raw material.
Due to different flowering cycles, we are able to harvest three times a year: in March, May, and September. A special permit allows us to head out into the fields to get the best wood for our artistic creations.
The harvest is always good fun but also hard work, and we need to wear special protection. To replenish our wood stock, our team is always thankful for every helping hand.
So if you want to learn how to harvest and find good quality wood, we will teach you how to distinguish between the different types and how you can find the flower stem that best suits your project. This activity is meant to be an exchange and thus it is free of charge.
Get in touch for further details and information.
Integral Usage of the Agave
In our workshop for the integral usage of agave, we are happy to share our knowledge (partly acquired through the special visit of Don Miguel) to teach you techniques and processes used since generations as a basic element for survival in Mexican culture.
We will teach you how to extract the ‘nectar of the gods’ (Aguamiel), how to make ecological construction and extract the fibres from the leaves (Sisal), how to process agave wood into musical instruments and handicrafts, how to prepare the traditional beer of the Aztecs (Pulque), agave syrup, and much more.
At a time when water becomes an increasingly limited resource, we believe that it is of vital importance to know how to utilize the limited biodiversity that can be found in arid areas.
Due to its broad spectrum of usage and low demand on water and soil fertility, the agave already offers hope and an improved standard of living for millions of people in arid areas around the planet. It can be used for foodstuff, drinks, fibres, construction materials, healthy sweeteners, medicine and much more…
