Over the last six decades, deep in the heart of Aravaipa Valley in southeastern Arizona, Mana Pottery has been producing unique and stunning American Southwestern art. Multi-colored, hand painted renditions of desert life on handcrafted earthenware provide a visual feast in a context of everyday functionality.
Immanuel "Mana" Trujillo is the heart of Mana Pottery. A World War II veteran who suffered a bomb blast that caused traumatic brain injury and PTSD, Trujillo was transferred in 1948 to a hospital in Fort Sheridan, Illinois. Here he discovered an empty crafts room and began developing a career that would span the next 60 years.
Trujillo actively participated in Native American Church (NAC) ceremonies for over ten years before separating from the NAC to start his own Peyote Way Church. He trained in all the offices of the NAC, including Fireman, Drummer, Cedar Man and finally as Road Man in 1962. During those ten years of service and learning, he made many Peyote ceremonial vessels.
He met Timothy Leary in 1962 and introduced him to the NAC tipi ceremony, often called the Red Road or Road Meeting. Later Trujillo introduced artist Salvador Dali to Leary's legendary Millbrook in New York. Trujillo was instrumental to the success of the "Summer of Love" in Denver, Colorado, where he had a studio for several years.
Mana Pottery was legally incorporated in 1984, seven years after the 1977 arrival of apprentices Matthew Kent and Anne Zapf. In 1978, the three incorporated the "Peyote Way Church of God, Inc," and two years later accomplished 501(c)(3) status for the Church. Until 1984, all work produced was offered for donation or sold wholesale to Goldwater's Department Stores, Red Feather Lodge in Grand Canyon National Park, Arizona, and other small gift shops across Arizona and New Mexico. Mana Pottery ceremonial earthenware was also sold at Ortega's in Scottsdale, Arizona, for ten years.
Mana Pottery studios has trained many artists in the creation of earthenware art, including Adam and Claire Dorn of Maw Paw Pottery, Barbara Clark of Cascabel Clayworks, and many others.
The "Peyote Way" line is featured in the Smithsonian’s Museum of the American Indian Collection. Barry Goldwater was a collector and carried Mana ceremonial earthenware in Goldwater's Department Store from 1959 for over twenty years. The pottery is coveted by private collectors like Whoopi Goldberg, Lucy Lawless (Xena, Warrior Princess) and Bill Walton of Oregon Trail Blazer fame. Mana Pottery is also currently used in prayer meetings by other Peyote communities.
Go to the Mana Pottery website
http://manapottery.com
Donations of
funds, materials
and trust gifts
will be gratefully received.
You can donate using Paypal: |
Or you can send a check to: The Peyote Way Church, 30800 W. Bonita Klondyke Rd., Willcox, AZ 85643 |
Thank you for your continued support! |
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