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acoma pottery workshop-california

updated sat 31 aug 96

 

John Bobeda on fri 30 aug 96

The University of California at Santa Cruz will be offering a one
week workshop featuring internationally aclaimed Acoma Potters, Emma Lewis
Mitchell and Dolores Lewis Garcia starting September 9th through 14th.

Emma and Dolores are daughters of the late Lucy M. Lewis of Acoma
Pueblo, New Mexico. They have been featured in the late Rick Dillingham's
books, "Seven Families in Pueblo Pottery" and the recent update, "Fourteen
Families in Pueblo Pottery". They are also featured in Susan Peterson's
book, Lucy M. Lewis, an American Indian Potter.

A video "daughters of the Anasazi" offers a overview of their workshops,
if any one is interested in gaining insights into their lifestyle as Native
American potters, living in a dual society.

I highly recommend this workshop for anyone interested in learning
the "traditional" methods of producing Acoma black fine line designs on
white forms.

The workshop will begin with forming techniques handed down from
their ancestors. The workshop will include making traditional natural
material, decorating slips, from local stone and plant materials, producing
yucca brushes, burnishing, decorating steps with inspiration from Membres
designs.

The workshop will conclude with a traditional above ground, oxidation
dung firing. No prior ceramics experience is required. The cost is
$325.00 and well worth in it. Unit credit of 2.5 quarter units is
included.

My interest in this workshop is to promote the availability of
information regarding these artists and their art. I have personally taken
their workshops and found them profoudly educational and fun. I in no way
profit from this workshop.

Anyone interested should call the University Extension Services Art
and Design Department (408) 427-6620 for information or telephone
registration. I also can provide additional info by email.

John Bobeda
Ceramics Instructor
Cabrillo College
Art Dept Aptos, CA.
jobobeda@cruzio.com