Programs and Events

Fusing Red Earth:
Moundville Pottery Gathering and Expo
June 15-18, 2005

Dozens of the country's finest Southeastern Indian potters will gather at UA's Moundville Archaeological Park for "Fusing Red Earth," Moundville's annual pottery gathering and expo, Wednesday, June 15th through Saturday, June 18th, 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 indigenous collections and hear presentations on the evolution of Native American ceramics by museum associates, guest artists, and scholars. “Fusing Red Earth” will also include at least one trip to a collection of pottery curated by a museum or university.

On June 18th, the Saturday Expo is open to the visitors public and includes demonstrations by Native Americans and other experts as they hand make and fire 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 entire four-day gathering, the cost is $45 per person. Student rates and other discounts are available. To register, phone UA's Moundville Archaeological Park at 205-371-2234.

For visitors attending on Saturday only, gathering registration is not required. Admission to the park during the expo is $6 for adults and $4 for children. Children ages five and under are free. Group rates are available.

Two examples of Moundville pottery painted with red and white colored clays

For more information call (205) 371-2234, or email Monique Billeaud at mbeo@bama.ua.edu

Moundville Archaeological park is located 14 miles south of I-20/59 at Tuscaloosa off 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.

A blackened engraved jar found at Moundville

An artist's concept of a traditional Creek sofki (corn soup) bowl and a cooking pot

Click HERE for more information, registration, and program schedule.