Burnished: Pueblo Pottery at NMWA
Burnished: Pueblo Pottery at NMWA is a focus exhibition presenting twenty-four clay vessels from the museum's collection, highlighting the artistry of women potters across Pueblo communities in the American Southwest. Organized as the first dedicated presentation of the museum's Pueblo pottery holdings, the show spans more than two millennia of tradition, featuring both recent acquisitions and longtime favorites donated by founders Wilhelmina and Wallace Holladay and their son Hap Holladay. The vessels—including ollas, seed jars, and bowls—demonstrate finely worked surfaces, sculpted designs, and a range of firing and polishing techniques passed down through generations of women makers. Featured artists include historic and contemporary figures such as Maria Martinez, Margaret Tafoya, LuAnn Tafoya, Stephanie Tafoya, Emma Lewis Mitchell, Dorothy Torivio, and Iris Youvella Nampeyo. The exhibition is part of the museum’s participation in Handwork: Celebrating American Craft 2026, an initiative of Craft in America.
When: May 8 through September 27, 2026.
Hours: Tuesday to Sunday, 10 am to 5 pm. Hours are subject to change; visitors should check the Plan Your Visit page for updates.
Location: Teresa Lozano Long Gallery, ground floor, National Museum of Women in the Arts, Washington, D.C.
Featured Artists: Maria Martinez (San Ildefonso), Margaret Tafoya and LuAnn Tafoya (Santa Clara), Stephanie Tafoya (Santa Clara), Emma Lewis Mitchell and Dorothy Torivio (Acoma), Iris Youvella Nampevo (Hopi-Tewa), and others, including Lisa Holt (Cochiti) and Harlan Reano (Santo Domingo) whose 2025 jar is a brand-new acquisition.
Exhibition Details: 24 clay vessels, including ollas, seed jars, and bowls. The presentation features both newly acquired works and pieces from the Holladay family collection, reflecting a commitment to supporting women artists in this dynamic art form.
Related Event: Curator’s Perspective: Burnished – Wednesday, August 19, 2026, 6 to 7 pm ET. This virtual event is for museum members and will offer deeper insights into the exhibition.
Tickets: Price and ticketing information not available at time of publication. Visitors are advised to reserve spots online in advance.
Note: This exhibition is part of Handwork: Celebrating American Craft 2026, a national initiative organized by Craft in America. The museum’s exhibition is generously supported by the members of NMWA.