Navajo Pottery: Beautiful Objects
DINE’ BIS: HOZHO DOK’LIS

By Faith Clover and Alan Jim

Based upon a 1996-98 research project conducted by the authors at the Leupp Public School in Leupp Arizona. It was funded by the Arizona Arts Education Research Institute (AAERI).

Native Americans have a long history of making beautiful pottery. In Arizona, it is possible to see Anasazi and Hohokam pots that are at least four hundred years old. The pots were created for daily use and for religious purposes. They were functional.

Continuing the tradition, Native Americans make pottery for daily use, for religious purposes--and now for sale. Many of us can own one of these beautiful art objects.

In this unit you will study the pottery making of the Navajo, learning about processes used by potters, about the philosophy underlying the making of Navajo pottery, and about the purpose for which various pots are made. You will make several pots using basic handbuilding techniques and assess your level of success. You can fire your pot if you have access to an outdoor fire pit or a galvanized garbage can with holes drilled in the sides at regular 6" spaces. You'll also need fuel consisting of sawdust and dried sheep, horse, or cow dung. But this is optional!

In addition to access to the computer and the Internet, you will need a studio space to work on your pottery away from the computer. You will need to be able to print out sections of the lessons that provide instructions for making pottery.

There are five lessons and several assignments:

1. Introduction to Navajo Pottery and Its Makers

• A Look at Navajo Pottery and Where It is Made
  
• An Introduction to Some Well Known Navajo Potters
  
• Worksheet 1. Characteristics of Navajo Pottery
  
• Assignment 1.Navajo Potters

2. Clay

• Assignment 2 and Worksheet 2. Clay Samples
  
• Assignment 3. Report on Clay

3. The Philosophy of Navajo Pottery Making

• Assignment 4. Paper
• Navajo Philosophy of Pottery Making

4. Three Basic Pottery Techniques

• Preparing the Clay
  
• Making a Pinch Pot
  
• Making a Coil Pot
  
• Making a Slab Pot
  
• Assessment Worksheet 3

5. Firing Pots the Navajo Way

• Assessing Your Pots

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