Pottery and Weaving: A Living Tradition opens at Branigan Cultural Center

The Branigan Cultural Center’s newest exhibit, Pottery and Weaving: A Living Tradition, by artist Leon Nastacio, opened Wednesday, July 10, 2024.

The exhibit is on view through Aug. 24, 2024, at Branigan Cultural Center, 501 N. Main St. in Downtown Las Cruces. 

The Zuni Pueblo is largely an artistic community located two hours west of Albuquerque. Nastacio’s pottery reflects its historical and practical significance, serving purposes in farming, religious ceremonies and daily life. Additionally, Zuni weaving encompasses a spectrum of styles, ranging from intricate to simplistic designs. Originating in the early 1900s, Zuni weaving has evolved significantly over the past century, benefitting from the generational changes to this unique and skilled craft.
 
Pottery and Weaving: A Living Tradition examines Leon Nastacio’s interdisciplinary artwork within his Zuni traditions. Nastacio showcases his own creative works as an artist while sharing and teaching others of these important interwoven traditions while informing visitors of Zuni’s history and culture. Nastacio masterfully presents these two art forms in a stunning collection, showcasing both his expertise and the inherent beauty of these crafts.
 
The Branigan Cultural Center is open 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Tuesday through Friday and 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on Saturdays. There is no admission charge. The museum is accessible from RoadRUNNER Transit Route 1 Stop 1. For more information, call (575) 541-2154 or visit the museum website. site at https://www.lascruces.gov/museums