Discussion and Demo with Southwest Potter Russell Sanchez
In this very special program, San Ildefonso Pueblo potter Russell Sanchez from New Mexico will be at Fenimore Art Museum to discuss his work, the pottery traditions of his culture, and his new piece that the museum acquired for its collections this year. Sanchez will also offer a hands-on demonstration using clay and other materials from his desert southwest home for participants to handle.
Russell Sanchez (b. 1963) continues to be one of the master innovators in Pueblo pottery. He creates each piece perfectly hand-coiled, stone polished, then etched, inlaid, designed, and fired with traditional Native American pottery methods. Russell learned to make pottery from his great-aunt, noted potter and pottery matriarch Rose Gonzales (1900-1989.) He started making pottery at the early age of 12 years old on the San Ildefonso Pueblo.
Russell has received numerous awards and recognition for his pottery throughout his career. Including such distinctions as ‘Best of Division’ at both the Santa Fe Indian Market and the Heard Indian Market. In 2007 Native Peoples Magazine presented Russell’s art in the feature article of the Fall issue. In 2011, Russell was awarded the exclusive ‘Tony Da Award’ for Pottery in Santa Fe. Russell was recently a recipient of the ‘New Mexico Governor’s Award for Excellence in Art 2017. In 2019 he won “Best of Pottery” at Santa Fe Indian Market. At the same time, he was involved in a major exhibition of historic San Ildefonso pottery at the Museum of Indian Arts and Culture in Santa Fe, NM. In 2022 he won both Best of Pottery and Best of Show at Santa Fe Indian Market. His work remains on a continued path of excellence and creativity.
Sponsored by the Eugene V. and Clare E. Thaw Charitable Trust.
