A case study of intercultural communication: Oaxacan ceramists and an American author

After two work experiences that were fraught with issues of intercultural miscommunication and poor partnership with artisans and illustrators in Vietnam and Mexico, an American author and researcher sought to create a non-hierarchical intercultural collaborative model around development of ceramic figures for a children's book with internationally known ceramists, the Aguilar sisters, of Ocotlan, Mexico.;The research goals were to understand which behaviors were related to misunderstanding and which to cultural difference. This knowledge was used to improve partnership and dialogue during the work period and for future projects. The next goal was to examine how the publication of other books was to the benefit or detriment of participating artisans. The final goal was to examine the procedures of authors and artisans who have worked together in Oaxaca as well as perceptions on both sides. The last two goals were used to implement best practices with the ceramists.;The research was structured around a qualitative case study involving five women. The research noted interactions concerning aesthetics, intercultural miscommunication and collaboration. Data were collected through interviews, participant observations, journal notes, diaries, logs and artifacts such as photographs and ceramic figures. Prior to the six-week data collection period in the summer of 2010, research was conducted through preliminary interviews with other partners and authors, illustrators and artisans who had partnered with other Americans on book projects as well as a one-month pilot.;The study found that there were different cultural viewpoints on time, communication and aesthetics. However, sometimes these could be addressed through an appropriate cultural response. Prior research also alleviated what might have been inappropriately analyzed as cultural miscommunication. Using an egalitarian model of collaboration and trying to get past a tourist art mentality was successful with two of the sisters but not successful with two others. In the collaboration, gender unexpectedly became a major issue. More research on this topic will be necessary prior to beginning future partnerships. The study contributes to the field of education by adding to the knowledge on cross cultural artistic collaboration between American authors and Mexican artisans particularly as it relates to developing children's books.