ZUNI, NM (Sept. 19, 2025) — This month, 12 Zuni youth and young adults ages 13-23 began a 10-week apprenticeship with the Zuni Youth Enrichment Project, learning the art of Pueblo pottery under the guidance of instructors Gaylan Westika and Jacob Frye.
Made possible with support from the Bezos Family Foundation and First Nations Development Institute, the Emerging Artist Apprenticeship will culminate in a public showcase on Thursday, Nov. 6. Each student will earn a $300 stipend for their apprenticeship and also will have the opportunity to sell their work at the community event.
In addition, the top three students will visit the acclaimed Heard Museum in Phoenix, Arizona, in November. Founded in 1929, the museum is well known for its 12 galleries of contemporary and historic Native art.
“We’ll visit the archives there, and we will learn more about how the students can utilize their own platforms as they pursue this art form,” said Elroy Natachu Jr., ZYEP’s arts leader. “Pueblo pottery is in high demand among collectors and community members.”
During the apprentices’ first week, the A:shiwi A:wan Museum & Heritage Center gave a presentation about the cultural history of Pueblo pottery and the traditional process of creating it. Natachu said this is an important component to the apprenticeship, as roughly half of the students are new to the art form.
“The knowledge we’re sharing used to be common knowledge, but over time, some of this was lost, and our students are new to the concepts,” Natachu explained. “We’re sharing language and information about how we view these items. Everything has spirit. Once the clay is fired, it becomes a living, breathing being.”
The students are currently engaged in hands-on instruction. Natachu said the instructors and ZYEP team engage with them daily with check-in questions designed to encourage thoughtful exploration and also to gauge their baseline and progress.
“We’ve noticed that our conversations about things like colors and symbolism make their way home with the students,” he observed. “They share what they have learned in class, which sparks conversations at the dinner table. Their family members’ own stories come out, and then they bring those stories back to us!
“It’s wonderful how intergenerational connections are being recreated or strengthened,” he continued. “It reinvigorates our cultural knowledge base, and when youth understand there isn’t just one way to be Zuni, something clicks. It’s really cool to see.”
The students recently went on harvesting trips for clay and lava stones, and they are processing the clay. Along the way, they also are learning about mineral and vegetable colors and pigments, as well as ethical harvesting to ensure abundant supply for future generations.
When asked about how they would like to continue their artistic journey after the apprenticeship concludes in November, Liyah Quam said she hoped to retain all the information so she could keep making pottery as a way to relax. Jacob Booqua agreed, saying he will keep making pottery as a hobby—he hopes to make new pieces for his home.
Shylena Him wants to remember every interesting detail from the apprenticeship and is excited about all the new work to come. And Kailyn Kaskalla said she plans to help others and share the knowledge she learned through the experience.
The ZYEP art department is looking forward to kicking off its next round of Advanced Artist Apprenticeships in November. They will welcome three students for the six-month program—the top students from this year’s Emerging Artist Apprenticeships in Pueblo embroidery, two-dimensional graphic arts and painting, and Pueblo pottery.
ZYEP’s Advanced Artist Apprenticeship is designed to give students opportunities to further expand their skills, experiment in their chosen medium and develop a personal vision for their artistic journey. This intensive one-on-one program also provides additional business-related education and mentorship so the students are empowered to pursue artistic careers.
To learn more about the Zuni Youth Enrichment Project and its programs, and for information about making donations, partnering with ZYEP, and volunteering, call (505) 782-8000 or visit zyep.org. And, to stay up to date on the latest news and events, follow the nonprofit youth organization on Facebook (/zuniyouthenrichmentproject), Instagram (@zuniyouthenrichmentproject), YouTube (/ZuniYouth), and TikTok (/zyep09)
Founded in 2009, the nonprofit Zuni Youth Enrichment Project is dedicated to promoting resilience among Zuni youth so they will grow into strong, healthy adults who are connected with Zuni traditions. ZYEP fulfills its mission by providing positive role models, enriching programs, and nurturing spaces that contribute to the healthy development of Zuni youth. ZYEP strives to provide every child with the encouragement and opportunities they need to reach their full potential.
