Articles
Meet Artist Margarita Paz-Pedro — El Malpais Community Art Program
Margarita spoke with Camisha Cordova, PLIA’s Outreach Coordinator, about her art and artistic process.
Paz-Pedro states, “There is no one reason I create, but many. With each year there is so much more to be learned, new materials to try and clay to be formed. My art practice is a way of life and will continue to take me down different paths. The medium of clay is vast, and it is impossible to learn it all in a lifetime, but I am giving it my best. “
Paz-Pedro's works include ceramic bowls, plates, and other functional items. In her large-scale tile public mural works, most of Paz-Pedro's tiles are made by hand, then fired and painted prior to installation. Paz-Pedro also combines painted murals with tile murals, like the one you can see at El Malpais.
Mano a Mano Series—Margarita Paz-Pedro
Margarita describes her process and preferred media as such:
I make functional ceramics forms (bowls, plates, cups, etc.) using the potter’s wheel. I work with porcelain, stoneware, and Native clay in my functional works. I also make large scale public and private ceramic tile murals across New Mexico, solo and collaboratively with an organization called ALMA. I do some painted murals a few times a year, sometimes incorporating tile. I have been creating installations for the past couple of years, integrating functional works in porcelain and Native clay, adobe bricks, wood, custom decals, and painted murals.
"Dance of the Matachines"—2009, Albuquerque Convention Center
Photo Credit: Keith Scott
When asked about her life and her background Paz-Pedro spoke about her extensive education, and her work as a teacher and organizer:
I was born in Albuquerque, NM, raised in Las Cruces, NM and have family in Laguna Pueblo. I have ties across NM. My background (Mexican American, Laguna Pueblo & Santa Clara Pueblo) is core to my artmaking. I am a ceramic artist, teacher, organizer, and muralist. I received my BFA with an emphasis in Ceramics in 2003 from the University of Colorado-Boulder, an MA in Art Education in 2008 at the University of New Mexico and an MFA in Studio Arts-Integrated Practice from the Institute of American Indian Arts in 2023. I have been able to travel, participate in Artist Residencies and study under some fierce female artists.
Since 2009, Margarita has worked as a lead artist with the ALMA Summer Institute of ALMA, where she creates large-scale public art mosaic murals across New Mexico.
"Giver of Water, Essence of Life"—2015, Albuquerque Convention Center (ALMA Project)
Photo Credit: Keith Scott
She is currently an adjunct professor in Ceramics at IAIA (Institute of American Indian Arts) in Santa Fe where she “can reciprocate the knowledge that has been given and shared with me, to others,” says Margarita.
Margarita's partner is a fellow artist and together they have “a rowdy 11-year-old.”
Margarita asserts that her culture, mentors, her students, and apprentices are an inspiration to her, and that the land and clay are also an inspiration. Margarita states that “The process is probably the most important part to me. It is the part where I put the most energy. The outcome is the cherry on top.”
Paz-Pedro has received many awards in her lifetime including the Excellence in Teaching Award twice, the Women Who Make a Difference Award, and the Creative Bravos Legacy Award.
When asked about future goals Paz-Pedro states that she hopes to continue creating in all the diverse ways she can.
When asked about our program, Paz-Pedro states “It was nice to spend time in the area. It is great to see such a big focus on art at a National Monument land.”
You can currently find Paz-Pedro's art at the El Malpais National Conservation Area’s Ranger Station where PLIA and the BLM will present all artwork from artists associated with the NCA on October 12, 2024. You can also see her works at Gallery Hózhó and Lapis Room, both in Albuquerque.
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