Zapotec weaver Porfirio Gutiérrez; photo courtesy of Ron Sullivan
Pottery by Jerardo Tena; photo courtesy of Ron Sullivan
Ron and Vicki Sullivan
Although there is not much sheep ranching going on in the Santa Cruz River Valley, a master of traditional Zapotec wool weaving is coming to Quail Creek in Sahuarita for three days on March 4, 5 and 6.
Porfirio Gutiérrez and his family are masters of traditional Zapotec weaving and the creative skills associated with this fine art. Descendants of generations of weavers, they have no reason to doubt that their ancestors were weaving in pre-Columbian times. Their village, Teotitlán del Valle in Oaxaca, Mexico, has been famous for the art of weaving for centuries. Nearby archaeological ruins that date back as far as 500 BC still stand decorated.
In December 2015 the Smithsonian Institute’s National Museum of the American Indian in Washington, D.C. recognized Porfirio Gutiérrez for his research. During his visit to Quail Creek’s Kino Conference Center he will share these traditional Zapotec weaving experiences.
Working with natural dyes, Porfirio is researching Zapotec textile art fabrication techniques to verify that methods used in the past are still in use today. During his visit, he will demonstrate how traditional Zapotec weavings are made with fibers dyed with local plants and insects. His creations will be for sale.
Along with Porfirio, the show will feature master Mata Ortiz potters Jerardo Tena, Norma Hernandez, Eli Navarrete Ortiz and Virginia Hernandez. Contemporary Mata Ortiz pottery, rooted in the ancient Casas Grandes culture of northwestern Chihuahua, Mexico, can be found around the world. The potters will demonstrate hand forming, painting and firing. Pottery from many Mata Ortiz artists will be on display and for sale.
Taxco is the center of the silver jewelry industry in Mexico. Mata Ortiz is the center of the fine ceramic industry in Mexico. Blend the two and you have one of a kind pieces. Beautifully designed pieces will be available.
This free and open to the public event will be held in the Kino Conference Center, 1490 East Quail Range Loop, Building 1, at the intersection with East Quail Crossing, in Quail Creek, Sahuarita.
The event is sponsored by Modern Mata Ortiz www.modernmataortiz.com and Quail Creek residents Ron and Vicki Sullivan www.mataortizconnection.com.
Schedule
Friday, March 4 6:00 to 9:00 p.m.
Artist reception; viewing of DVD of The Renaissance of Mata Ortiz; preview sale for general public; cash bar
Saturday, March 5 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Pottery forming and painting demonstrations all day; Weaving demonstration all day; Viewing of DVD of The Renaissance of Mata Ortiz all day
9:00 a.m. to noon Tito Carrillo storytelling and book signing
11:00 a.m. Pottery firing, weather permitting
2:00 p.m. Weaving presentation
Sunday, March 6 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Pottery forming and painting demonstrations all day; Weaving demonstration all day; Viewing of DVD of The Renaissance of Mata Ortiz all day
11:00 a.m. Pottery firing, weather permitting
2:00 p.m. Weaving presentation