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The Pottery Factory lies in the valley formed by the
Sleeping Ute Mountain on the west and the cliffs of Mesa Verde National Park to the east.
These lands were once home to the ancient Anasazi people who mysteriously vanished several
centuries ago. The ruins of the cliff dwellings and villages of the Anasazi have yielded many
examples of roughened earthenware and finely decorated pottery.
The Utes, a nomadic tribe until the 1800's, now inhabit this
beautiful and geographically diverse land. Their unique paintings contain elements of the
geometric designs of the Anasazi. However, Ute artists have, over many years, adapted
these designs and included their own representations of their land.
To encourage the talents of tribal artists, the tribe formed the
pottery enterprise in 1973. Ute Mountain Indian Pottery employs about 30 tribal
members in all phases of production and management. The pieces of pottery are not only
durable for everyday use, but are of museum quality for your collection.
Pottery is poured by hand into ceramic molds, then turned and
cleaned. Artists create their own original designs and sign each piece. The pottery is
glazed by hand and fired in modern kilns. The result is a line of high-quality pottery
that is one of the few truly Native American products available.
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