Charity Tugumisirize was born in a lovely family in Kabale district, Uganda, to Mrs. Juliet and Rev. Edward Rwambuka. Her parents instilled in her the values of hard work, creativity, and compassion. As the second of eight siblings, she grew up in a vibrant community that relied on traditional equipment, sparking her interest in handmade crafts.
Charity Tugumisirize’s education journey began at Kacerere Primary School, where she developed a passion for art and design. She later attended Bishop Kevengere Girls School Muyebe. Honing her skills in fashion and art. After completing her secondary school, she pursued a Diploma in Computer and Communication Technology at the Uganda Management Institute and later acquired a Certificate in Industrial Training in ceramics, at Vision for Africa Vocational Training Institute.
She was inspired to pursue this course after visiting the Vision for Africa workshop. Charity Tugumisirize was fascinated by the exceptional artwork on their display.
Her career in pottery spans four years, with a focus on creating functional and beautiful pieces. Notably, she has served as the Production Director at Classic Clays, overseeing the production process and ensuring the quality of our ceramic products.
Her choice of career path in pottery was influenced by the desire to create functional and beautiful pieces that promote healthy living and environmental conservation. Charity’s style is characterized by simplicity, elegance, and a focus on sustainability.’ I strive to create pieces that not only bring joy to those who use them but also contribute to a more sustainable future’ Says Charity Tugumisirize.
Her recent art piece is an Eco-Cooker. As an artist, she is fascinated by the health benefits of eating food prepared from clay pots and the eco-friendly nature of clay products. Charity Tugumisirize is mindful about conservation of environmental and supports use of products that are environmentally friendly. Her motivation was to create a piece that celebrates the beauty in eating healthy food and environmental friendly.
While Charity hasnt collaborated with other artists, she has been actively seeking guidance from experienced potters to refine her pottery skills and gain new insights.
As a ceramic artist, charity is mindful of the environmental impact of her work.Primarily,she uses natural clay, which is abundant in Uganda, reducing the need for imported materials.additionally, she experiments with recycled materials, like repurposed clay scraps, to minimize waste.
Her production process is designed to be energy-efficient. Charity uses traditional techniques, like hand-building and wheel-throwing, which require minimal machinery and energy. She also dries pottery pieces naturally, using sunlight, to reduce reliance on electric kilns. In her studio,Charity strives to minimize waste by reusing clay scraps, recycle water, and properly dispose of any hazardous materials.
Occasionally, she engages with local communities to promote sustainable practices and provide training on ceramic production. This has helped to create jobs, stimulate local economies, and foster environmental awareness.
Charity is incredibly excited about the future of art and in Uganda.and anticipates to see the continued fusion of traditional Ugandan craftsmanship with modern techniques and materials, resulting in innovative and captivating art and fashion pieces.
Even though the industry still faces challenges, including limited funding, inadequate infrastructure, and a lack of formal training programs. Charity believes that as the government begins to recognize the economic potential of the creative industries,Uganda’s art industry will experience tremendous growth, innovation. Eventually artists will showcase Uganda’s unique cultural identity to the world.
Source: Trillion Looks
