Transforming Tradition: Pottery from Mata Ortiz July 1, 2005—May 31, 2006 This exhibition presents the work of contemporary artists from the town of Mata Ortiz, who have rediscovered an artistic tradition of their ancient ancestors and mastered the art of creating painted ceramic vessels. Over twenty handcrafted pots (or ollas) donated by Leo and Lois Damkroger are on display, featuring intricate geometric designs, decorative painting and incising, and animal forms such as pigs and ducks. Also on view are ceramic vessels from 14th and 15th century Casas Grandes culture that inspired the modern-day revival of this complex and delicate artistic tradition. The Casas Grandes culture (1100-1450AD) specialized in making coiled pots, called ollas, which were sculpted, fired, and painted in a tedious process the artists referred to as La Lucha, or “the Struggle.” Around the time of the Spanish Conquest, the Casas Grandes culture vanished and the tradition of making ollas was lost for nearly four centuries. In the 1950s, Juan Quezada, a native of Mata Ortiz, discovered ceramic remnants of the once popular art form. Inspired, Quezada learned the technique of this lost tradition, and trained interested community members in the craft. Now, over 400 community members are involved in pottery production and the region’s artistic tradition thrives again, producing some of the world’s finest contemporary ceramics.