A visit to Mata Ortiz with mataortizcontact is special. This is an entry to the community made possible through personal friendships. You will travel with a professional potter who speaks fluent Spanish and lives in the village, not a tour guide.

We can arrange extended hands-on workshop experiences, working with several Mata Ortiz potters willing to share their unique methods; this is our specialty, potter to potter contact. Most Mata Ortiz potters are happy to meet their fellow potters from “Across the line” and curious to know how they work.

Visits tailored to individual interests may also be arranged, anything from a few hours of pottery buying with a translator to several days of visits to various potters’ homes. Wholesale buyers are welcomed.

Participants stay in the village, at the Casa de Marta, a small, hotel owned by Marta Veloz, reputed to be the best cook in Mata Ortiz. This is the preferred lodging for old Mata Ortiz hands. Martha maintains a clean, quiet ambience in a family atmosphere. Vegetarians can be accommodated.

Any skill level is welcome and many aspects of the Mata Ortiz style can be explored, processing local clays and materials, handbuilt forms, the unique decorative and firing techniques; polychrome, blackwares and more.

Visits to local points of interest are also included; the Paquime museum, Cueva de la Olla and Hacienda San Diego.

The workshops are usually a one week experience and the cost of $900 covers all expenses, transportation from Tucson Az., meals, lodging, teaching and materials. The next workshops are scheduled for mid-April and mid-July 2009. Call or email for detailed information.

For more information, contact:

Peter Chartrand

peterpfp@gmail.com