It was a nice surprise when Clifford Fragua walked into the gallery this week. Clifford is a friendly, dignified-looking man from Jemez Pueblo. He and my brother, Jackson, were friends for many, many years, and Jackson always looked forward to having Clifford bring in new Nativity sets, Christmas ornaments, and Storytellers.

Imagine being a native of Nambe Pueblo near Santa Fe who finished a college education and then moved to Washington, D.C., where you established yourself as a financial consultant. It's the story of success, right?

Hundreds of years ago, when the Ancestral Puebloans (Anasazi) were the primary occupants of the Southwest, the climate was pretty much as it is today. Cool nights and warm days during the late spring through early fall made travel for hunting or moving between the fields and their homes a challenge.The Puebloans were known for growing crops like beans and corn, and long days in the fields required water.

This collection was brought to us by a couple that lived all over the Western United States. He was an employee of the Federal Government, and she worked in many organizations with Native people. Everywhere they lived, they collected Indian art from the area. Today we are featuring some of the Acoma Pueblo pottery that they purchased.

The Anasazi, or “Ancestral Puebloans” as contemporary anthropologists refer to them created pottery for utilitarian uses beginning about 200 A.D. They cooked in it, stored food in it, ate and drank from it. And, as anyone who has spent much time looking at the pottery from Mesa Verde, Chaco Canyon or any of the early living sites of the early inhabitants knows, they spent an inordinate amount of time and effort decorating these vessels with beautiful designs.

There are a few Navajo weavers who make round rugs. These weavings are not common as there are some challenges to creating one. Over the years, we have worked with several women who made them, but they have all passed on.

Two of our most popular Holiday events are this weekend. On Friday, December 7, from 5 until 9 pm, join us for Noel Night, a Durango tradition!

Maria is deservedly considered the “Potter of San Ildefonso” because of her long and illustrious career and her part in creating the black on black pottery that made her famous. Her polishing technique created the first “gun metal” finish and her legacy is etched in clay.

In New Mexico, Nativity Sets, Creche or manger scenes made by Pueblo Indians depicting the birth of Christ, are commonly known as Nacimientos. That is because of the predominantly Hispanic culture in the area and the fact that the Christianization of the Pueblo people was a result of the Spanish settlers. It’s not a real pretty story, but as times evolved, the Catholic faith has become intermingled with the lives of the Pueblo people.

Today we are going to share a set of plates made by Maria and her husband, Julian, that are really unique. How unique? Well, what would you think if I told you that Maria made several sets of plates that were intended to be used as dinnerware?

The most famous of all Pueblo potters is Maria Martinez (1887-1980). She is credited as having created the first contemporary black Pueblo pottery, but in reality, that is not true. They had made black pottery at Santa Clara since the 1600s.

She created the famous "Black on Black" pottery with painted mat black designs on a beautiful black finish.