Pueblo of Isleta

The Pueblo of Isleta is nestled in the scenic Rio Grande Valley, 15 miles south of Albuquerque on Interstate 25 Exit 215.  It is one of the larger 19 Pueblos within New Mexico and was established in the 1300s.

Before 1900, Isleta Pueblo pottery was strictly utilitarian ware and generally was thick walled and undecorated. It interested few museums or collectors so not many examples exist. Today, Isleta Pueblo pottery —painted polychrome wares—is a style developed after the arrival of a group of Laguna Pueblo families who left their native Laguna Pueblo and moved to Isleta Pueblo in 1879 and settled in a village they named Oraibi. They brought the traditional Laguna Pueblo Polychrome pottery style with them, using potshards rather than sand as a tempering agent, resulting in stronger, higher quality wares with thinner walls, which eventually replaced the traditional Isleta plain ware that had existed for centuries. In recent years, the Pueblo has experienced a pottery revival, with many artists creating high-quality handcrafted pottery in both traditional and contemporary styles. Isleta artists are also known for embroidery, sculpture and jewelry-making.

For Directions, information about hours, admission fees and programs go to:
https://www.isletapueblo.com/local-attractions/