Whistling Vessels: Sound and Ceremony- “The Deer Spirit Guide” with Julissa Llosa Vite | 4/7-4/10 | Spring 2026
Ceramics | Available
In this hands-on workshop, participants will explore the ancestral art and history of creating whistling vessels—ceramic instruments that merge form, sound and ceremony. The deer spirit will be our primary teacher in this class: mediator between physical and spiritual realms, a companion of shamans, and a powerful symbol of transformation. Drawing inspiration from Peruvian traditions, students will learn to craft vessels that produce melodic tones through the breath and voice of water. The course will cover techniques in hand-building, whistle making, incorporating acoustic technologies, and understanding the historical significance of these instruments in ceremonial contexts. By the end of the workshop, participants will have created their own functional one-body Deer Whistling Vessel, connecting with a rich tradition of storytelling and spirituality through sound.
Day 1: Historical overview and whistle making.
Day 2: Creation of “deer body”.
Day 3: Ceremonial overview and placement of acoustic technologies in a one-body whistling vessel.
Day 4: Exploration of the deer as animal guide and completion/decor of Whistling Vessel.
Julissa Llosa Vite is a multidisciplinary artist, educator, and healer whose practice is rooted in the intersection of ancestral knowledge, contemporary art, and holistic healing. Born in Callao, Peru, and currently based in both New York City and Albuquerque, her work draws deeply from her cultural heritage, personal identities, and over a decade of experience in education, art, and therapeutic practices.
Her artistic practice focuses primarily on ceramics, inspired by the ceremonial and spiritual significance of ancient vessels. She is a life-long student of ancestral Peruvian and Ecuadorian ceramics, with training from Cosmoaudición—a school grounded in ancestral clay technologies led by Esteban Valdivia. Rather than viewing these objects as historical artifacts, she approaches them as living forms—entities that carry ancestral memory and cultural continuity.
Julissa’s teaching philosophy is shaped by 12 years of interdisciplinary classroom experience and a strong foundation in trauma-informed pedagogy. As a founding teacher at Harvest Collegiate High School in Manhattan, she taught math, science, and art, while also leading initiatives around racial justice and restorative practices. Her approach to education is relational and experiential, integrating mindfulness, decolonization, creative expression, and somatic awareness.
Julissa is a Clinical Therapist, certified Reiki Master, Hypnotherapist, and EMDR practitioner. She studies with traditional healers and teachers across Peru, Ecuador, and North America.
- A basic ceramic toolkit is required for this course. Ceramic toolkits are available to be purchased from the Art League at the front desk.