Event Details

Join us at Coronado Historic Site for a beginner’s level five-day pottery-making workshop that will introduce you to working with clay. You will also learn about the type of pottery that was made and found at ancient Kuaua Pueblo. Ranger Robert Silas (Hopi), a multi-disciplinary artist known for his traditional Hopi and Zuni pottery, will lead the workshop. Throughout the class, you will learn everything from processing locally mined natural clay to molding pots by hand to painting pottery. On the final day of the workshop, we will build a fire and pre-heat pots by the open flames to prepare for firing. Materials will be provided. Bring a sack lunch each day. All five sessions of the workshop must be attended to complete the project. The workshop is $220 per person and $180 per person for MNMF members and FCJHS members.

Registration link coming soon!

Daily workshop schedule:

May 16: The class will start with processing natural clay that has been mined locally. Students will pound the clay into small pieces and process it through a grinder. After the grinding process, they will add water to the powdered clay and knead until the clay is ready for molding.

May 17: Pots will be molded throughout the day and set out to dry. Students will work on their dry pieces and mold also more clay.

May 18: Students will paint their pottery while also learn the history of Kuaua Pueblo and the different styles of pottery found at the site here. We will begin the process of building the kiln.

May 19: Finish remaining pottery and painting. Gather wood for the firing. Students will see samples of different clays and pigments and learn how they are used for different styles of pottery.

May 20: Firing day, which will involve pre-building a fire, pre-heating pots by the open flames, and getting pots ready for firing.