Native Art

Hopi Tewa Pottery

18+

In this workshop, you will explore the traditional Hopi-Tewa method of creating polychrome pottery. This method includes coil building with Hopi gray or yellow clay, sanding, burnishing with riverbed stones, designing and painting pots with natural pigments utilizing handmade paint brushes. Finally, you will learn to traditionally fire your pieces in open-air kilns using sheep dung as a heating source.

Share

Overview

Traditional Hopi-Tewa pottery stems from the unique legacy of its makers, who originated from New Mexico and settled at First Mesa on the Hopi Reservation in Arizona. Pieces were created initially for utilitarian purposes and today are bespoke vessels of expression of traditional life on Hopi-Tewa Land.

Your instructors will provide all the hand-sourced and prepared materials needed to produce clay, natural paints, and tools from Hopi Land in Arizona. Over the week, you will have time to create up to three small to medium-sized pieces of pottery in this careful examination of the delicate process of Hopi-Tewa pottery making and learn about the cultural foundation from which the art is inspired.

Additional Information

Dorothy Ami (Hopi-Tewa) is from the village of Polacca at First Mesa in Arizona. She began practicing the art of Hopi-Tewa pottery 30 years ago under her cousin and innovator in Hopi pottery, Mark Tahbo. She later went on to win several awards in competitions, including the Museum of Northern Arizona’s Annual Hopi Show, the NAU Road Scholar Program, and other private organizations.

Dorothy and her husband Emerson Ami have been featured in many publications, including Talking with Clay in the 21st Century and Hopi Tiles.

Includes clays, natural paint pigments, firing materials, use of a personal set of tools.

Optional:
Small portable lamp (clamp is best)
Seat cushion

Each day, your workshop starts at 9 am. Lunch is served from 12 pm to 1 pm. Workshops all recommence at 1 pm and wrap up at 4 pm. Dinner is served from 5 pm to 7 pm. 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.

1) Native American Community Members, Leaders, Artists, and Teachers

For adults 18 and older with current tribal affiliation, the scholarship brings community leaders, artists, members, and teachers to workshops at Idyllwild Arts to benefit both the scholarship recipient and those in their schools or tribal communities. Applicants with financial needs may receive priority. We also offer scholarships for Native American Teens for both the Summer Program and the Academy.

Click here for more information about adult scholarships.

Your workshop concludes on Friday at 4 pm. However! Your ceramic pieces will not be fully complete until noon on Saturday June 22, 2024 following the traditional firing of the ceramics. Be sure to plan for this special Saturday event!

Related Programs

View All Programs

Native Art

Ho-Chunk Porcupine Quill Workshop

18+

Porcupine quill embroidery is a true American art form. Long before glass beads from Europe were exported and traded in the Americas, many natural materials were used for the adornment of traditional regalia. In this workshop, you will engage in the entire process of quillwork. Join us as we experience the quill art process, from extracting quills from a pelt to cleaning to applying them as an embroidery fiber. You will create your own smoked, brain-tanned deerskin drawstring pouch with embroidered quill adornment.

Register Learn More

Native Art

Navajo Weaving I

18+

Learn the art of weaving from master Navajo weavers Barbara Teller Ornelas and Lynda Teller Pete, originally from Two Grey Hills and Newcomb, NM. While instructing and demonstrating, sisters Barbara and Lynda will share their family’s personal weaving stories and experiences, giving you a view into the world of Navajo weaving.

Register Learn More

Native Art

Cahuilla Style Pottery

18+

In a virtual and screen-obsessed world, get hands-on and learn how to harvest and make clay, then create the beautiful ollas used by the Cahuilla people of Southern California to store food and water.

Register Learn More