IMMEDIATE RELEASE: 4/3/06 CONTACT: PUBLIC INFORMATION OFFICE

            SILVER CITY- The Western New Mexico University Expressive Arts Department will be holding a free Mata Ortiz Clay Workshop featuring Nena and Macario Ortiz. The couple will be showing different techniques for making pots and will be holding demonstrations throughout the day. They will be demonstrating the process from forming the pot to burnishing and painting and firing the pot.

            Macario and Nena have made some of the innovative techniques now shared and utilized by many of the potters in their village. One of the techniques is the highly refined black on black finish which utilizes graphite in the finished work.

            Claude Smith, department chair of expressive arts says, “This is a great opportunity for anybody in the community that is interested in working with clay or for anybody who just wants to learn something new.”

            The workshop will be held on April 7 and April 8 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. in McCray Building Room 124.

The workshop is open to all students, faculty and members of the community. Clay will also be available for anybody who would like to make a clay pot. There will also be pots on display and pots for sale.

The workshop is sponsored by the Friends of Clay - Students. The Friends of

Clay - Students are a group of students who are interested in supporting the clay studio and providing opportunities for clay workshops, provide student scholarships and equipment which is needed in the clay studio.

            For further information please contact Claude Smith at 538-6501 or the WNMU Expressive Arts Department at 538-6614.

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