Mata Ortiz Pottery Show & Sale
Sat, May 02
|Museum of Indigenous People
Spend the day immersed in the artistry of Mata Ortiz pottery as master potters shape, paint, and fire their work using traditional techniques passed down through generations, with the opportunity to purchase and take home pottery the same day for a unique cultural experience.
Time & Location
May 02, 2026, 10:00 AM – May 03, 2026, 4:00 PM
Museum of Indigenous People, 147 N Arizona Ave, Prescott, AZ 86301, USA
About the Event
Mata Ortiz Pottery Show, Live Demo & Sale
Experience the beauty and tradition of Mata Ortiz pottery, a contemporary revival of ancient Mogollon ceramics discovered near the archaeological site of Casas Grandes (Paquimé) in Chihuahua, Mexico.
Named after the nearby town of Mata Ortiz, this distinctive style was revived in the mid-20th century by artist Juan Quezada Celado, who taught himself to recreate the ancient forms and later refined them into a modern artistic movement. By the 1970s, Quezada was sharing his techniques with family and neighbors, transforming Mata Ortiz into an internationally recognized center of ceramic artistry. Through the support of collectors and cultural advocates, the pottery gained recognition in the United States and beyond, appearing in galleries, museums, and cultural institutions.
Today, Mata Ortiz pottery is celebrated for its intricate hand-built forms and detailed surface designs. Each piece is individually crafted and valued as fine art rather than…