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Mountain Home Guide Upon pulling up to the home of Nancy and Alan Cameros, I was struck by the dignified bearing of their estate. All dark, unassuming wood, surrounded by a number of trees In a living room flanked by custom-made shelves full of Southwestern pottery, the couple spoke candidly about this growing collection, soon to be displayed publicly for the first time at the Rockwell Museum of Western Art in Corning, New York, in Crafted to Perfection: The Nancy & Alan Cameros Collection of Southwestern Pottery, which opens November 22 and runs through May 18, 2008 Their passion for collecting pottery started on a trip to New Mexico in the early 1980s when Nancy picked up a simple clay souvenir pot from Santa Clara. From then on, the Cameros’ spent a portion of each of their annual ski trip looking for new pieces of pottery. After several years, they started making trips specifically to find new pieces of the Native American-made pottery. “This interest in the art gradually grew over time,” said Nancy. “We developed a special interest in clay pots from Santa Clara, with their unique carvings.”
“The more you see, the more you understand the time and creativity that goes into the finished product,” said Alan. Though it was Nancy who purchased their first pot, Alan quickly joined her in searching for new and interesting pieces. Carefully selected by the couple, this impressive 200-piece collection (100 pieces will be on display at the Rockwell) features works from fifteen of the nineteen Native American pueblo villages in New Mexico. “Originally, we wanted to collect pieces from every pueblo in New Mexico,” explained Alan, “but about nine years ago, we realized that we needed to start being more selective. We can’t collect everything and there are some pueblos that simply make better pottery.” With that goal in mind, they have commissioned works from more than ten Southwestern artists, with whom they have developed relationships over the years. Their most recent acquisition, a majestic black polished pot about two-feet high, is a testament to their developed skill in recognizing the best artists. Perched on a low shelf, surrounded by family photos, this “To make it black, Tammy had to use traditional outdoor firing methods, using manure to char the clay,” she said. Alan chimed in, helping me to understand just how much work really went into it, “It took more than a year to complete because of all of the polishing a piece of that size requires.” Because of how much work and time had to go into such an intricately carved and fired piece, Nancy said, “Tammy probably would have shot me if it didn’t work out. She put an enormous amount of work into it and we really appreciate her artistry.” That appreciation comes across in their pottery choices. Exploring their collection, I was struck by the sheer number of beautiful pieces. “Collecting is a learning experience,” said Alan, “and we look forward to sharing what we’ve collected with the public.” What: Works by the finest contemporary and historical potters. Approximately seventy-five of their more than 200-piece collection will be on display in a never-before-seen public exhibition. |
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and rich foliage now in a state of slumber, their home exuded the austerity one would expect in their quiet Brighton, New York, neighborhood. Upon entering their home, however, I understood at once that these people, who have traveled to ancient Hopi dwellings to find unique pieces of art, truly understand and appreciate warmth, both in their home and in their involvement in the arts.
Having had a grandfather who was a glasscutter, Nancy related with the craft and appreciated the amount of time and energy that went into each piece. Over time, they began to collect from many of the New Mexican pueblos.
piece was created by Tammy Garcia, who Nancy extolled as “one of the finest potters out there.” She went on to explain that they had wanted something black and grand to display with the rest of their collection. 
