Pueblo of Zia

Artists of Zia are known for producing beautiful traditional work, especially their handmade pottery.  Their redware and polychrome pottery often features designs painted in brown or black.  The bird motif is a signature element of Zia pottery and a wide range of birds are found in Zia art including humming birds and the roadrunner.  Zia’s pottery has been made from brick red clay, tempered with crushed basaltic rock and hard-fired for several hundred years. A white slip was added to the process a couple hundred years ago. The product is durable, as evidenced by the large number of older surviving pots. Zia pottery is very similar in style and design to that of Acoma except that Zia pots have thicker walls and are overall much heavier. The Zia tradition is faithfully adhered to and innovation is avoided.  Zia artists are also known for painting, as well as traditional weaving, carving and basketry and some Zia painters have achieved recognition for their watercolors. The Zia sun symbol is a sacred symbol to the Zia People.  It consists of a central circular sun through which pass four lines in four directions.  The number four is a meaningful number symbolizing the circle of life, the four directions, the four elements (earth, wind, fire, water), the four stages if life and the four seasons.  The symbol is rare in Zia pottery but common in jewelry and carvings. 

For Directions, information about hours, admission fees and programs go to: https://www.ziapueblo.org/visitors-and-events