It sits high atop a sandstone stone mesa in Southwestern New Mexico – overlooking vast arroyos and valleys.

This is the oldest inhabited community in North America — the Acoma Pueblo.

Located one hour west of Albuquerque, New Mexico, it’s the home of the Acoma people.

They have lived here for centuries, creating an inspiring treasure trove of culture and art – their pottery known for its intricate, innovative, designs, thin walls and fluted designs.

Pottery making here dates back centuries – techniques, styles, motifs, passed down through generations.

Acoma potters use locally sourced clay and the pottery is hand-coiled instead of the traditional way, using a potters wheel.

It features intricate designs, consisting of geometric patterns, animal motifs, and symbols representing the forces of nature: rain, lightning, mountains, done in traditional colours of black, white and orange with many younger, contemporary, potters, introducing more vibrant hues.

But for Acoma potters their pottery is more than just an art form, it’s of great cultural importance – reflecting the beliefs, stories, and traditions of the Acoma people.

Acoma pottery – traditionally used for cooking and storage – today is highly valued as a collectible art form.

Collectors galleries, museums, worldwide, have Acoma pottery in their collections.

Traditionally, Acoma potters have been predominantly female.

Today, both men and women are involved in this ancient art form. Although women still play a significant role in Acoma pottery, the craft is no longer exclusive to them.

Here are six top-six Acoma potters.

Lucy M. Lewis

Her designs are delicate, intricate featuring geometric patterns and traditional Acoma motifs

Her black-on-white vessels featuring parrots, deer, and other animals are highly prized

Marie Z. Chino

Her pottery – a mixture of traditional Acoma styles and modernist influences – characterized by bold geometric patterns and vibrant colors

Her black-on-black and polychrome vessels featuring abstract designs and animal motifs are highly regarded.

Helen Cordero

Her hallmark – whimsical, narrative, figurines and vessels featuring animal and human forms

She blends traditional Acoma art and folk art.

Her storyteller figurines and vessels featuring animals, humans, and mythological creatures are highly collectible.

Margaret Tafoya

She is celebrated for her large, highly-polished blackware pottery.

A staunch traditionalist she features bear paws, rain clouds and water serpents in her designs.

Her ability to create large pieces and keeping with Acoma traditions and designs set her apart from many other Acoma potters.

Wilfred Garcia

His white pottery is his trademark – the satin sheen achieved by meticulously using a stone to polish the pieces several times.

His work features intricate carvings and sculptures such as corn stalks, kiva ladders and puebla scenes.

Franklin Peters

His work is characterized by bold slips, amazing colours, and sharp lines.

Often he incorporates traditional geometric designs and fine lines symbolizing rain, reflecting his Sky clan heritage and constant prayers for rain.