The Western National Parks Association is hosting a Mata Ortiz Pottery & Oaxacan Carving Show and Sale from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Friday and Saturday at the association's store, 12880 N. Vistoso Village Drive.
Mata Ortiz pottery is beautiful, highly collectible pottery from Mata Ortiz, Mexico, that tends to mimic the style of pottery from the Casas Grandes, said Bill Niehaus, assistant manager at the association's store.
Casas Grandes, also known as Paquimé, is a prehistoric settlement located in the modern-day Mexican state of Chihuahua.
"It's really interesting," said Scott Aldridge, director of operations at the store. "A couple of artists found the pottery and figured out how it was made and revived the style of pottery from the Paquimé culture."
Pottery is available year-round at the store but the association holds two shows a year to promote the history of Mata Ortiz and create a better public appreciation of it through education, interpretation and research.
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The pottery is unique because "it's not done on a wheel but is hand-formed, and the brushes are made from human hair," Niehaus said.
There will be pottery demonstrations at the event and, weather permitting, traditional pottery firings.
"Generally the pots used in the demonstrations will be for sale after the firing," said Doug Spurlin, field operations manager at the store.
Dozens of examples of the pottery will be on display and for sale at the event, Niehaus said.
WNPA is nonprofit and tax-free. Sales directly support the programs, services and preservation of the 66 national parks in 12 different states, Aldridge said.
Beautifully carved woodwork of Oaxaca and vibrant Zapotec rugs also will be available.
"It's the people from Mata Ortiz and from the other villages who make the difference," Aldridge said. "It makes the art unique."
If you go
• What: Mata Ortiz Pottery & Oaxacan Carving Show and Sale
• When: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Friday and Saturday
• Where: Western National Parks Association Store, 12880 N. Vistoso Village Drive
• Cost: Admission is free, but the cost of pottery varies. Cash, check and credit cards are accepted.
• To learn more, call 622-6014 or go to www.wnpa.org
Stephanie Fousse is a University of Arizona journalism student who is an apprentice at the Star. Contact her at starapprentice@azstarnet.com or 807-7776.
