Holy Water Stoup / Benditera José Gimeno Martínez La Cerámica Valenciana ca. 1998, Manises, Spain International Folk Art Foundation, Santa Fe Photo by Paul Smutko

Materials have also changed as the world has become more aware of the harmful effects of certain elements—particularly lead. But the designs of today’s loceros draw heavily on the past and carry this history into the present.

Each one of the potters represented here has spent years studying the historic pigments, glazes, clays, forms, motifs and designs from the past and has selected those that to him or her make the most contemporary statement. Some of the workshops are single family or single potter operations. Others are larger, more commercial and industrial ventures. But regardless of their approach, passion for their art and all that it represents clearly shines through.