Ami Emerson Apr 2026

Firing pieces outdoors using cedar wood and sheep manure, which gives the pottery its distinct finish.

Beyond his artistic achievements, Emerson Ami has a significant background in and community outreach.

Emerson often notes that he initially began creating pottery to assist his wife with her work, but it evolved into a 20-year career dedicated to keeping Hopi traditions and spirituality alive through art. Public Service and Community Involvement ami emerson

Emerson was first introduced to the fundamentals of pottery—molding, sanding, and polishing—by his grandmother, Eleanor Ami . He later refined his craft under the mentorship of his cousin, the acclaimed potter Mark Tahbo .

Building pieces by hand using the traditional coil-and-scrape technique. Firing pieces outdoors using cedar wood and sheep

Using natural clay pigments for painting and stone-polishing the surfaces.

The mother of Emerson "the Brave" Hoogendoorn , a young girl whose battle with brain cancer inspired a massive community movement. Public Service and Community Involvement Emerson was first

His work adheres strictly to traditional Hopi-Tewa methods. This involves: