Nayrouz News Agency :
The Embassy of Mexico participates in the First International Ceramics & Pottery Festival, held under the patronage of Her Majesty Queen Rania Al Abdullah and organized by the Jordan Handicraft Producers Association at the Ras Al Ain Gallery in Amman.
The festival gathered a distinguished group of cultural institutions, artists and artisans from around the world, offering a unique platform for creative exchange and showcasing diverse ceramic and pottery traditions.
As part of its participation, the Embassy presented a curated selection of handcrafted pieces by artisans from Mata Ortiz, a small village in the Mexican state of Chihuahua. Mata Ortiz is renowned for reviving an ancient pottery tradition inspired by the nearby archaeological site of Paquimé in northern Mexico, which forms part of the late Mogollón cultural complex.
Mata Ortiz has become a global reference point in contemporary pottery, with its artisans acclaimed for their refined techniques, exceptional craftsmanship, and innovative reinterpretations of ancestral designs. The participating artisans—Laura Bugarini, Héctor Gallegos Jr., Octavio Silveira Sandoval, Paula Gallegos Bugarini, and Janet Silveira Pedregón—are part of this distinguished group. Their work is included in notable specialized collections and has been exhibited in prominent galleries and museums not only in Mexico but around the world.
At the opening of the festival on 26 November 2025, Mexican Ambassador Jacob Prado emphasized that this international festival offers an important opportunity to strengthen cultural cooperation and deepen the bonds of friendship between Mexico and Jordan. He noted that showcasing Mata Ortiz pottery highlights the richness of Mexico’s artistic heritage and supports the promotion of traditional crafts and the global visibility of Mexican creators.
Next December, in collaboration with the National Gallery of Fine Arts, the Embassy will organize a larger exhibition of Mata Ortiz potters. The exhibition will feature works from three generations of artisans, including a piece by Juan Quezada, the founder of this tradition in the mid-1970s in that small village in northern Mexico.
The First International Ceramics & Pottery Festival runs until November 30 and welcomes visitors daily from 10:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m.
