Tempered with Tradition:
Figurative glass sculpture by Ira Lujan (Taos) and Polychrome pottery by Joseph Cerno, Jr. (Acoma)
August 21 - November 22, 2008

Ira Lujan from Taos Pueblo was awarded a prestigious Southwestern Association for Indian Arts Fellowship in 2007, which highlights many of his accomplishments in the burgeoning media of glass sculpture. Ira has studied with Tony Jojola (Pueblo of Isleta) at the Taos Glass Art and Education Center in New Mexico and Preston Singletary (Tlingit) at the Pilchuck Glass School located at Stanwood, Washington and founded by world renowned glass artist Dale Chihuly. By incorporating everyday, Pueblo utilitarian objects, Ira finds freedom of expression through designing and manipulating the extremely hot and malleable glass.
Ira has used his SWAIA Fellowship award monies to design and build a mobile glass blowing unit, which he wants to transport to different locations throughout the United States to promote both the art of glass sculpture and his personal style of art.
Joseph Cerno, Jr. learned his pottery making skills from his famous parents, Joseph and Barbara Cerno of Acoma Pueblo. Haaku pottery has a long and rich history and is linked to their Mogollon and Mimbres ancestors of southwestern New Mexico. The Cerno family has created some of the largest and finest traditional polychrome ollas in the Pueblo world. They use natural clay, mineral and vegetal paints and fire their pottery outdoors as their ancestors did. The family has gained a reputation for their large ollas and their attention to detail and beautiful high polishes and intricate designs.
The Poeh Museum officially opened in 2005 and has featured many renowned Pueblo artists and community art projects (i.e., Poeh Arts Program, Pueblo of Pojoaque Family Learning Center, and Boys and Girls Club) in quarterly exhibitions in the Community Gallery. The annual Indian Market exhibition opens on Thursday, August 21, 2008 at 5:00 PM with a public reception for the artists, dancing and refreshments. Poeh Museum hours are Monday through Friday 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM and Saturday from 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM and the telephone number is 505-455-5041.