Pottery Class at Kuaua with Robert Silas

Registration is closed as the class is full.

Learn about Pueblo history and the site of Kuaua at a two-week pottery-making workshop held at Coronado Historic Site. Experienced potter and Coronado Historic Site Interpretive Ranger Robert Silas (Hopi) will guide students through a pottery-making class, from mixing the clay, to creating coil pots, to painting them, and naturally firing them outdoors. The workshops take place Saturdays through Wednesdays, May 3 - 7 and May 10 - 14, 10 a.m. - 4 p.m.

Robert Silas credits learning pottery from his godfather Kevin Navasie. Robert’s focus is on reviving the Sikyatki pottery of 1100-1600 has and accomplished this technique through trial and error. Since 2015 he has revived the Sikyatki method of firing using lignite coal, which he acquires near antelope mesa at Hopi. The Sikaytki pottery is fired with lignite, which burns longer and at a higher temperature than firing pottery with sheep manure. His pieces are inspired by the Sikyatki polychrome and Jeddito black-on-yellow pottery. Each piece is hand-coiled, painted with native clay slips, and a bee-weed plant variant. Robert has won awards for his distinctive and creative pottery. He also works as an Interpretive Ranger at Coronado Historic Site!