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About the Artist
Clarence Cruz is a traditional pottery artist who incorporates incised designs in the typical Ohkay Owingeh micaceous clay styles. He is known for using traditional methods to make authentic museum-quality pottery, and for teaching pottery-making to students of all backgrounds.
When gathering natural clay, constructing the pots by hand, and firing outdoors, each step calls upon tradition to form unique and brilliant pieces. Cruz uses three firing methods: an open firing where the flames are allowed to touch the pots, an enclosed firing where the flames do not touch the pots, and a reduction firing where the pots are turned black. He sometimes utilizes a kiln for firing
Cruz has a BFA and MFA in Art Studio from the University of New Mexico, is an instructor at UNM, and has taught, or still guest teaches, at Santa Fe Community College, Poeh Cultural Center, Northern New Mexico Collection, and in Native communities