Authentic Copper Canyon

Two young potters in Mata Ortiz

We always include a stop at Casas Grandes, Paquime and Mata Ortiz on our train trips in Copper Canyon. I love these simple pots that these two young women in Mata Ortiz are producing. I mistakenly got away without writing down their names. Their Dad is Efrain Lucero and they live at the south end [...]

Top Ten Reasons to Travel the Copper Canyon Train

This great place awaits curious travelers now …and what a joy it is to be able to introduce our guests to its wonders: 1. Copper Canyon is so huge. 2. The Rarámuri or Tarahumara- the indigenous people. 3. The train through Copper Canyon- CHEPE. 4. The little towns – the heart of rural Chihuahua. 5. [...]

One of the best hotels in Copper Canyon

Casa de Nopal in Casas Grandes

Spencer and Emi MacCallum live in Casas Grandes and have been instrumental in the promotion of Mata Ortiz pottery as well as providing vision and direction for the preservation and restoration of numerous old building in town. Our Copper Canyon Tours regularly stop here in this tiny and historic village. Near the plaza in Casas [...]

Pottery Firing at Mata Ortiz

Mata Ortiz pottery is so unique and captivating. Much of the cultural draw is in the fact that it is all produced by local, non-gallery townsfolk in the tiny village of Mata Ortiz, nearCasas Grandes. So you walk from house to house around town-Juan Quezada is realy the only one with a gallery- and get [...]

Mata Ortiz Potters…Porfiria Gonzales

Once again in Mata Ortiz we were greeted by potters on the street and this woman seemed to have some very nice little pieces. I especially like the craft and color of her miniatures:

Mata Ortiz Potters…Manuel Rodriguez

This guy is one of the more skilled and famous potters in Mata Ortiz and his story is fascinating. He grew up with one of Juan Quezadas’ sons and watched the development of the pottery movement as a child. He is featured in the film, “The Mata Ortiz Phenomenon” from The American Museum of Ceramic [...]

Mata Ortiz Potters…Nelid Reiz

Often people approach you on the street with tiny pots displayed for sale in egg flats. Since I grew up on a small egg farm and spent hours processing eggs by hand into such flats, it always seems a bit funny to see these little clay miracles in a common egg flat. Anyway, Nelid  Reiz [...]

Mata Ortiz Potters…Rosa Gaona

Once again as we got ready to move on through Mata Ortiz in search of pots,several potters showed up with their wares. One interesting and gratifying aspect of the local culture is that they don’t seem to compete that much. There is an openness to others selling their wares on your doorstep or even right there [...]

Mata Ortiz Potters…Lupito and Ledezma

I am a bit sketchy on these names, but not a bit doubtful of the quality of their work. The extended family in this home specializes in effigy work and their pots almost always include some animal portrayals.