Museum of International Folk Art

06/05/2026

I Am Clay: Acoma Life in Figures is part of Craft in America's Handwork: Celebrating American Craft 2026, a national initiative marking the 250th anniversary of the United States.

The exhibition traces the deep roots of Acoma figurative pottery, the role of women artists in sustaining the tradition, and clay as a living expression of culture and memory.

The public opening is this Sunday, June 7, from 12:30 to 4:00 PM. Free admission for New Mexico residents.

📸 Mabel Brown (Acoma Pueblo), Cow pitcher, ca. 1960s, handbuilt Acoma clay with mineral paints. Museum of International Folk Art, gift of the Girard Foundation Collection, A.1980.2.934. Photo by Addison Doty

06/04/2026

This Sunday, the public opening of I Am Clay: Acoma Life in Figures includes dancing by The Pueblo Dance Group at 12:30 PM and again at 3:00 PM.

The afternoon also features refreshments by the Women's Board of the Museum of New Mexico, a hands-on clay animal activity for all ages, and a panel discussion at 1:00 PM with the exhibition's curators and Acoma potters.

The full program runs 12:30 to 4:00 PM. Admission is free for New Mexico residents.

📸 Lucy M. Lewis (Acoma Pueblo), Snakes, ca. 1960s, handbuilt Acoma clay with mineral paints. Museum of International Folk Art, gift of the Girard Foundation Collection, A.1988.18.234x. Photo by Addison Doty

06/03/2026

Sunday's opening of I Am Clay: Acoma Life in Figures will feature a panel discussion at 1:00 PM with guest curator Brian Vallo, Acoma potters Prudy Correa, Claudia Mitchell, Marilyn Ray, and Maria "Lilly" Salvador, and MOIFA curator Laura Addison.

These are the voices at the heart of this exhibition. Their conversation will offer rare, firsthand insight into the tradition of Acoma figurative pottery and what it means to bring this work into a museum context as a community.

The public opening runs 12:30 to 4:00 PM. Admission is free for New Mexico residents.

📸 Marilyn Ray (Acoma Pueblo), Storyteller, ca. 1980-1988, handbuilt Acoma clay with mineral paints. Museum of Indian Arts & Culture/Laboratory of Anthropology, bequest of Sarah Crane, 58158/12. Photo by Addison Doty

06/02/2026

Mark your calendars. I Am Clay: Acoma Life in Figures opens this Sunday, June 7, with a public celebration from 12:30 to 4:00 PM at the Museum of International Folk Art.

This community-curated exhibition brings together 120 works of figurative pottery from Acoma Pueblo, centering the women artists who have shaped and sustained this tradition for generations. From historic Puebloan roots to the influence of tourism in the early 20th century, I Am Clay presents clay as culture, memory, and lived experience.

Admission is free for New Mexico residents. We hope to see you Sunday.

📸 Anita Lowden (Acoma Pueblo), Lamb, ca. 1960, handbuilt Acoma clay with mineral paints. Museum of International Folk Art, gift of the Girard Foundation Collection, A.1980.2.926. Photo by Addison Doty

06/01/2026

Interesting things happen when we turn our intern, Amadeo loose in the gallery.

05/30/2026

Join us in the Hands-on Studio at MOIFA Sunday, May 31, 11:00 AM - 2:00 PM..
Make a vibrant stained glass–inspired design on clear canvas. Museum admission is always free for Kids and Members, program included with admission!

05/29/2026

05/28/2026

Scenes from an Installation. I Am Clay: Acoma Life in Figures opens Sunday, June 7, 12:30-4pm. Free admission for NM residents. Dancing by The Pueblo Dance Group. Panel discussion. Refreshments from the Women’s Board of the Museum of New Mexico. Hands-on activities.