Cahuilla Style Pottery

Tony Soares learned the fundamentals of pottery from his grandmother at age 7, starting a more than 45-year journey to revive the fading art of olla making. Though not of Cahuilla descent, he advocates to revive the art of Cahuilla pottery making through his experimentation with local clays and Indigenous handbuilding techniques. His pottery is displayed in art galleries and museums, including the Tahquitz Canyon Museum, Agua Caliente Cultural Museum and more. Tony shares his knowledge with local tribal communities and the general public to ensure that Native American pottery making is never lost. He has taught at many venues, including the Agua Caliente Band of the Desert Cahuilla of Palm Springs, the Heard Museum in Phoenix, AZ and the Yuman tribes of the Colorado River, AZ.

Instagram: @tonysoarespottery

• Use of all tools and shared materials such as screens and metates in class.
• Hand sourced clays and pigments
• Palms for palm frond making.
• Field trip and lunch.

• Sun hat
• Water bottle & plenty of water
• Sunblock
• Sunglasses
• Work gloves
• Comfortable walking shoes or boots for rough terrain

Your workshop starts at 9 a.m. each day. Lunch is served from 12 to 1 p.m. Workshops resume at 1 p.m. and wrap up at 4 p.m. Dinner is served from 5 to 7 p.m. You are welcome to join evening programming led by other adult art programs.

FIELD TRIP TO CAHUILLA INDIAN RESERVATION: Your tuition covers transportation to and from the Cahuilla Indian Reservation of the clay extraction. You will also be provided a sack lunch and water during your morning/early afternoon trip.

NOTE: Some instructors allow for after-hour work sessions. If the instructor(s) is/are willing and present in the classroom, you can work on your pieces after 4 pm.

Generous donors have made scholarships and fellowships for adult workshops available on a limited basis for these specific groups:

1) Native American Community Leaders, Artists, Members, and Teachers.
2) Southern California professors, and graduate students.

Scholarships include workshop tuition, dorm housing, and all meals provided by the campus dining service. 

Please note: Transportation to and from campus is not provided. Registration and Lab Fees are also not included in scholarship awards.

Scholarship Details:
1) Native American Community Members, Leaders, Artists, and Teachers

For adults 18 and older with current tribal affiliation or proof of descent. This scholarship intends to support the traditional transference of knowledge in Indigenous communities. The scholarship welcomes community leaders, artists, members, and educators to workshops at Idyllwild Arts to benefit both the scholarship recipient and those in their schools or tribal home communities. Applicants must explain how this opportunity will enhance their understanding of Indigenous arts and their potential benefits to their home community(s). Applicants with financial needs may receive priority. We also offer scholarships for Native American Teens for both the Summer Program and the Academy.

2) Southern California professors, and graduate students
For adults 18 and older who are current teachers in lower and higher education who will benefit from learning about Native American Arts and Culture to take back into the classroom as well as currently enrolled graduate students. The scholarship is designed to provide professional development for those in education to share with their learning communities.

Click here for more information about adult scholarships.