Victoria Silvera - Ceramist

Victoria Leigh Silvera is a Jamaican ceramic artist, designer, and entrepreneur whose contemporary work seamlessly blends fine art, functional design, and Caribbean identity. Based in St. Andrew, Jamaica, she is the founder and creative director of Touch by VLS, a design studio renowned for its innovative ceramic housewares, lighting, and sculptural objects inspired by the sea, nature, and modern Caribbean living.

After earning a Bachelor of Arts in Studio Arts from Swarthmore College and a Master's degree in Media Studies from The New School in New York, Silvera returned to Jamaica in 2013 to establish Touch by VLS. What began with a small commission for handcrafted mugs quickly evolved into an internationally recognized design studio known for its distinctive blend of artistry, craftsmanship, and functionality.

Silvera's work is deeply influenced by Jamaica's coastline and marine life, with recurring references to sea urchins, coral, shells, and organic forms. Through hand carving, slip-layering, and innovative glazing techniques, she creates ceramics that are both sculptural and practical, reflecting a contemporary vision of Caribbean design. Her acclaimed Urchin Collection and Starseed Collection have earned recognition for their originality, combining ceramics with wood, metal, and glass in striking modern compositions.

Her entrepreneurial achievements have been equally notable. Silvera received a US$10,000 business loan through the Branson Centre's Pitch to Rich competition, won first prize in Industrial Design in the Jamaica Intellectual Property Office's Authentic Jamaica Competition, and has represented Jamaica at international exhibitions including CARIFESTA and the Architectural Digest Design Show in New York. Through support from Caribbean Export Development Agency programmes, her work has reached collectors and design enthusiasts across the Caribbean and beyond.

Today, Victoria Silvera continues to push the boundaries of contemporary Caribbean ceramics, creating thoughtfully designed pieces that celebrate the beauty of nature while showcasing Jamaica's rich creative talent. Her work embodies a distinctive fusion of innovation, craftsmanship, and island spirit, bringing modern Caribbean design to homes around the world.