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Mata Ortiz
Seeing is believing. When the road crests over the rise just before descending into the village, there is no hint of what lies in store ahead. With years of practice, local potters have perfected the ceramic arts as have few others. Decades ago, this began by replicating some of the traditional Casas Grandes designs found at Paquimé and nearby. From there the designs have evolved into the specialized creations seen today. This is the place to see it all.
A visit to Mata Ortiz gives you this opportunity - to see it all. Although galleries display finished works from various artists, most potters work and sell from their homes. They welcome visitors into their homes and are eager to show their work as well as pieces not yet completed. Every stage of the process is performed by hand. You will not find motorized wheels and elaborate kilns. You will find simple work tables where the clay is carefully shaped by hand. Outside you may find a set   
of dried pots, resting on an old steel grate, being prepared for firing on the ground. And inside, you can see the finest of detail being hand-painted using a “brush” consisting of as little one strand. And if you look around or ask, you can see the disappointing results when a prime piece cracks or fractures under the stress of being fired.
Mata Ortiz has not always been about pottery. Prior to the Mexican Revolution, Mata Ortiz was named Pearson after the American engineer responsible for building the railroad from Ciudad Juarez south through this area to Madera. Fredrick Pearson was after timber and the site had nearby forests. A lumber mill was constructed as well as facilities for servicing the rail line’s equipment. In the early 1900s, business prospects looked good. Then came the Mexican Revolution and Pearson lost everything. After the fighting ended, the town fell into an economic depression. Renamed Mata Ortiz after the Revolution for a local hero who successfully fought the Apaches, the community reverted to living off the land.
The story of the rebirth of Mata Ortiz as an arts community has already been told many times over. A good source of references is found in the publications section of what is locally called the “Calendar”. Our office also has a sampling of publications. For those wanting to know more, Scott        
Petersen’s documentary film, The Renaissance of Mata Ortiz, provides details starting with the discovery of the village’s first potter some thirty-five years ago.
Mata Ortiz has a few places providing accommodations for visitors. Be prepared to be visited by local potters shortly after you arrive - the word gets around quickly! Potters typically bring a sampling of their work with them. Take your time and look around before deciding to buy unless you really must have that one treasure! It will be well worth your time to visit a number of people in their homes to appreciate the variety of artistic styles. A map of the village can help you navigate the roads and locate the potters - see the link underneath this page in the navigation bar.
Let our office assist you in planning your trip. We can put together an itinerary for you, arrange travel, accommodations, and provide guide and translation services. We live here, we know the people, and we want you to have a memorable experience.
Give us a call now!
An old steel grate, some chopped wood, and a rusty washtub make a kiln.
This is the result after a successful firing - time to celebrate!
Concentration and a steady hand - there’s little room
for error when painting a pot.