Clarence Cruz leaves a lasting Native pottery legacy at UNM

If you've ever taken a traditional Native American pottery class at The University of New Mexico or gone hiking to gather natural earthen resources for making traditional Native pottery, chances are you've met Clarence Cruz.

Cruz is Tewa from Ohkay Owingeh, formerly known as San Juan Pueblo. He is an associate professor of ceramics in the Art Department in UNM's College of Fine Arts. He has been a prominent and familiar figure on campus since his student days. He holds a BFA and an MFA in Art Studio, as well as a minor in Museum Studies through the Maxwell Museum.

His teaching journey with the university began in 1999 and for many years, he was the only Native American in the department. Now, 26 years later, as his retirement day, Jan. 1, 2026, draws near, Cruz will leave a meaningful legacy of passion, advocacy, support for students and encouragement, setting an example of what it means to uplift humanity.

He has walked through his career with one mantra. "This is the gift I was given; it is this gift that I must share. What you know cannot go with you when you are gone. You must share it so it lives on," he said.

He learned this mantra from his elders, whom he cherishes for their time and teachings. He credits them for many lessons over the years and strives to live up to them. They taught him about sharing knowledge and its importance.

He has dedicated himself to preserving and teaching traditional Native American pottery techniques. He guides his students on field trips to gather pieces from BLM and U.S. Forest Service lands that represent regional traditions and cultural heritage. The materials they collect could include clay, sand, rocks, trees, animal feathers, and a variety of other natural items.

Cruz shared that "the materials already exist. You just need to learn how to work it and understand the makeup of clay, slips and pigments."

In his own practice, he shared that his "pieces are not about me; they are about who I represent. My people and where I come from."

Cruz is always there for his students. His classroom philosophy stems from lessons he learned from his elders. Just like his elders do with him, he sits with his students and listens to them. He believes that we all learn from each other, not just from the teacher.

By the time his students complete his class, he wants them to know that they do not need to buy anything to create. "You just have to ask for permission." He teaches his students to respect the materials and recognize that they are alive, just like they are. Each student learns to state their intention upon approaching a material, saying, "Will you allow me to gather and work with you to create?"

Cruz is so popular that his classes fill up within minutes of registration opening. He is well known for his teaching philosophy, which makes his lessons engaging and leaves a lasting impression on every person who is fortunate enough to be enrolled.

His classes are open to all students, and he encourages them to bring their cultural backgrounds into the class and learn how pottery is used in their respective cultures. He loves pushing students' work to new levels and helping them unlock new thoughts and processes. He doesn't mind mistakes because, like life that is how we learn.

Although Cruz found his career at UNM fulfilling, he is looking forward to the next chapter in his life. During retirement, he hopes to spend more time creating through his own lens, attending art shows in town with his wife and continuing to work with the community to share his knowledge.