Southwestern Pottery

Crafted to Perfection: The Nancy & Alan Cameros Collection of Southwestern Pottery

October 9, 2007

CORNING, NY - For over 20 years, Rochester's Nancy and Alan Cameros have researched and collected exceptional Native American pottery by the finest contemporary and historical artists of the Southwest. Today that collection has grown to over 200 works of art and it is the Rockwell Museum of Western Art's distinct honor to host more than 100 of these pieces in a never-before-seen public exhibition. Crafted to Perfection: The Nancy & Alan Cameros Collection of Southwestern Pottery will be on display at the Museum beginning November 23 and running through May 18, 2008.

The Cameroses began collecting in the early 1980s when Alan's position as chairman of the Museum Trustee Association took him to Santa Fe to scout the location for the association's national conference. Already glass enthusiasts and collectors, they eagerly purchased what Nancy calls "a pretty souvenir". Though this initial pot was mass-produced for tourists, it inspired an enduring interest in the craft and culture of the Southwest.

During years of annual excursions, Nancy and Alan acquired museum-quality pottery, while simultaneously forming lifelong friendships with the artists. From early works by famed matriarchs of the craft to cutting-edge pottery by its most contemporary disciples, the collection is a testament to both the creativity of generations of potters and to the impeccable taste and passion of its collectors. It truly is a collection that has been crafted to perfection.

The Rockwell Museum is honored to debut this extraordinary exhibition.

Exhibition Catalog

With the support of Nancy and Alan Cameros, the Rockwell Museum of Western Art's Curator of Collections, Sheila K. Hoffman developed an exhibition catalog to accompany the collection and public exhibition. The nearly 200 page hard-bound exhibition catalog will be available for purchase in the Rockwell Museum of Western Art Trading Post.

From the book, Crafted to Perfection: The Nancy and Alan Cameros Collection of Southwestern Pottery by Sheila K. Hoffman.

"Taking inspiration from the past but exhibiting the genius of true creativity, the artists represented in the collection have stamped their own ideas and identities on a craft that has flourished among their people since before recorded history. From the understated elegance of unadorned, beautifully shaped clay to the eye-boggling effects of intricate carving, each work is a testament to the skill and patience of its pottery. Collectively, these artists have reinvigorated an art form that was nearly lost during generations of extraordinary change and hardship. With equal parts precision and grace, the works of the Cameros Collection unite the past and present of Southwestern pottery with an eye on the future. It is a collection characterized by both passion and impeccable taste-a treasure to discover and admire. It truly is a collection crafted to perfection." - Bryce Hoffman, Editor

Exhibition Related Programming

The exhibition will open with a reception at 5:30 p.m. on Wednesday, November 28, 2007 at the Rockwell Museum of Western Art. Museum members are invited FREE of charge. The public is encouraged to attend; admission to the event for not-yet-members is $6.50. Reservations can be made by calling 607.974.2333 or by email at nicholsa@rockwellmuseum.org.

About the Rockwell Museum of Western Art

Accredited by the American Association of Museums, the Rockwell Museum of Western Art is located in the center of the Finger Lakes Wine Country of New York Sate and in the heart of Corning's Gaffer District. The Museum is open to the public seven days a week; hours are 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Membership to the Museum includes yearlong free admission.