Hi everyone,
This month's challenge is to turn an olla (pronounced oh-ya). What is an olla? Well, it can be many things, but fundamentally it is a vessel that has a wide body and a narrow, yet accessible, neck. The specific form/material of the olla depends on its function and the cultural history. Some olla were made from unglazed tera cotta, and featured a tall, narrow neck to either keep water cool. Alternatively, this same style was also used as an irrigation tool--bury the vessel up to the narrow neck, and over time the water inside the olla leaches into the surrounding soil. Easy to refill without disturbing the soil, and quite effective at slowly and constantly watering the surrounding plants. How neat is that?? Other olla were used to store and/or cook food, and typically comprised slightly squattier bodies with short, wide necks. These would have been made of clay (if purely for storage), or even fibers (if the vessels was used to forage--basket would be easier to carry than a ceramic vessel). Of course, that depends a lot on access to materials and cultural significance. Many olla were plain, but plenty were adorned with representative or decorative markings. It's quite fascinating. If you want to read a bit more, here is a link to the Wikipedia article on olla, just as a jumping off point. It's a deep rabbit hole, and the form itself has inspired many a woodturner.
Given there are many different forms in this category, let's focus on the storage vessel that is characterized by a short, wide neck, and a cordate (heart-shaped) body that tapers to the base (no distinct foot). Your turning can be made from from a single chunk, or it can be segmented. It can be natural, or embellished. This challenge is open to your interpretation and imagination, as long as you retain the basic form. Have fun! Rather than provide you with some inspirational woodturnings, here are some striking ceramic/fiber examples I found:
1890 Yavapai or Apache olla basket:
Ceramic olla by modern Acoma potter Sandra Victorino:
1930's-1940's ceramic olla by Acoma potter Juanita Poncho:
1880 ceramic Zuni olla:
Here are the challenge rules, as determined by AAW Forum legal counsel Dewey, Cheatum, and Howe:
Good luck, have fun, make shavings, and let the chips fall where they may!!
This month's challenge is to turn an olla (pronounced oh-ya). What is an olla? Well, it can be many things, but fundamentally it is a vessel that has a wide body and a narrow, yet accessible, neck. The specific form/material of the olla depends on its function and the cultural history. Some olla were made from unglazed tera cotta, and featured a tall, narrow neck to either keep water cool. Alternatively, this same style was also used as an irrigation tool--bury the vessel up to the narrow neck, and over time the water inside the olla leaches into the surrounding soil. Easy to refill without disturbing the soil, and quite effective at slowly and constantly watering the surrounding plants. How neat is that?? Other olla were used to store and/or cook food, and typically comprised slightly squattier bodies with short, wide necks. These would have been made of clay (if purely for storage), or even fibers (if the vessels was used to forage--basket would be easier to carry than a ceramic vessel). Of course, that depends a lot on access to materials and cultural significance. Many olla were plain, but plenty were adorned with representative or decorative markings. It's quite fascinating. If you want to read a bit more, here is a link to the Wikipedia article on olla, just as a jumping off point. It's a deep rabbit hole, and the form itself has inspired many a woodturner.
Given there are many different forms in this category, let's focus on the storage vessel that is characterized by a short, wide neck, and a cordate (heart-shaped) body that tapers to the base (no distinct foot). Your turning can be made from from a single chunk, or it can be segmented. It can be natural, or embellished. This challenge is open to your interpretation and imagination, as long as you retain the basic form. Have fun! Rather than provide you with some inspirational woodturnings, here are some striking ceramic/fiber examples I found:
1890 Yavapai or Apache olla basket:
Ceramic olla by modern Acoma potter Sandra Victorino:
1930's-1940's ceramic olla by Acoma potter Juanita Poncho:
1880 ceramic Zuni olla:
Here are the challenge rules, as determined by AAW Forum legal counsel Dewey, Cheatum, and Howe:
- Entries must be posted in this thread by 11:59 PM Coordinated Universal Time (ish) on Sunday, March 29, 2026.
- You can post up to two photos of your piece in this thread. Please don't crop your images tightly (meaning, leave a bit of room in the image so I can add your name later). Only one photo will be used in the voting thread.
- Your olla can be any size, and can be embellished or natural. There are plenty of opportunities to get creative here, so feel free. Include the dimensions in your entry post.
- As always, this is a turning contest, not a "moldy oldie" photo contest, so in fairness to everybody, make sure your work is something you have made since this challenge was issued on March 11, 2026.
- You may not post any photos of your entry in this month’s challenge in any other thread or in the gallery until the voting has ended and a winner has been declared. Your are allowed to solicit information on mounting strategies though.
- Voting will take place from March 30, 2026, through 3:59 am Coordinated Universal Time on April 2, 2026.
- Solicitation of votes will result in disqualification.
Good luck, have fun, make shavings, and let the chips fall where they may!!