UA’s Moundville Archaeological Park to Host Its First Southeastern Indian Pottery Gathering and Expo

MOUNDVILLE, Ala. – Dozens of the country’s finest Southeastern Indian potters will gather at The University of Alabama’s Moundville Archaeological Park for “Fusing Red Earth,” Moundville’s first pottery gathering and expo, Wednesday, June 23 through Saturday, June 26, 9 a.m.-5 p.m.

“Southwestern pottery and other art works tend to dominate the cultural art world,” said Betsy Gilbert, education outreach coordinator at UA’s Moundville Archaeological Park. “But the purpose of this gathering is to highlight the significance of ceramics created by prehistoric, historic, and modern Southeastern Indians who did, or still do, inhabit our region.”

Registered participants will see both original prehistoric and historic indigenous collections and hear presentations on the evolution of prehistoric Indian ceramics by museum associates, guest artists, and scholars. “Fusing Red Earth” will also include a trip to the Ft. Toulouse/Ft. Jackson state historic site to experience UA’s annual Alabama Museum of Natural History Expedition, an archaeological excavation in progress in Wetumpka.

Saturday’s program will include demonstrations by Native Americans and other experts for hand making and firing Southeastern Indian pottery using a variety of techniques. The nation’s best historic and prehistoric pottery reproductions, as well as modern art works based on Southeastern Indian art traditions, will be available for purchase during the exposition.

To attend the four-day meeting, the cost is $35 each. To register, phone UA’s Moundville Archaeological Park at 205/371-2234, or see details online at www.moundville.ua.edu/pottery.html.

Boxed lunches will be available for registered participants on Saturday for $5 each. For visitors who will attend on Saturday only, registration is not required and admission is $5 for adults; $3 for children and seniors; and free for children ages 5 and younger. Spouse, student and group discounts may apply.

Located at 1 Mound State Parkway, 14 miles south of Interstate 20/59 at Tuscaloosa just off U.S. state Highway 69, UA’s Moundville Archaeological Park is a National Historic Landmark of 320 acres of more than 20 preserved prehistoric Indian mounds.

With campgrounds, picnic areas, a theater and lodge, the museum exhibits some of the finest Mississippian-era artifacts ever found in North America. The park is open daily, 8 a.m.-8 p.m.; the museum is open daily, 9 a.m.-5 p.m. A variety of programs for children and adults are offered teaching Native American culture, arts and technologies.