Mata Ortiz Vase by Martin Olivas Quintana

Mata Ortiz is a city in Mexico located near the archeological site of Casas Grandes in the Mexican state of Chihuahua. Juan Quezada Celado taught himself to recreate the authentic traditions of making pottery at Casas Grandes. In the mid 1970's he began to teach family and friends the skills and techniques necessary to produce pottery using the traditional methods from Casas Grandes. Today, several hundred artists produce pottery in Mata Ortiz. Their work is found in museums, fine art galleries and cultural institutions around the world. This community of artists and their success has helped to bring this region out of poverty and provide income for those related directly and indirectly to the art of pottery.

Martin Olivas Quintanna has emerged as a star of the 2nd generation of Mata Ortiz potters. Martin is winning awards for his work each year and is highly regarded for his sgraffito skills and use of color. 5″W x 4.75″H.