https://www.eyesofthepot.com/isleta/ron-martinez.php
Ron Martinez is a skilled potter with roots in the Isleta Pueblo, boasting a heritage that encompasses both Isleta and Taos. He proudly signs his pottery with the name "Looking Elk" and has been actively creating pottery since the 1990s. His preferred forms of pottery include siennaware jars, bowls, plates, and figurines. Ron's artistic expression shines through his work, often adorned with intricate designs inspired by sgraffito Anasazi rock art, featuring elements like human figures, hands, lightning bolts, and clouds.
In 1997, Ron Martinez earned a prestigious Native American Internship at the School for Advanced Research in Santa Fe, demonstrating his commitment to advancing his craft and cultural heritage. His dedication bore fruit in 2000 when he received the Challenge Award at the Santa Fe Indian Market, specifically recognizing his contributions to non-traditional pottery. Over the years, he became a regular exhibitor at both the Santa Fe Indian Market and the Eight Northern Pueblos Arts and Crafts Show, showcasing his remarkable creations to a wide audience.
Ron Martinez's passion for art and cultural exchange extends beyond his pottery studio. He is a graduate of the Institute of American Indian Arts and has embarked on journeys around the world, collaborating with indigenous artists, leaders, and organizers. His affiliations span national and international networks, including notable institutions such as the East-West Center in Honolulu, the School for Advanced Research in Santa Fe, the Leadership Institute in Santa Fe, the Aspen Institute, and the Academy for Educational Development in Washington D.C. Through these connections and experiences, Ron continues to enrich the world with his artistic talents and dedication to preserving and promoting indigenous cultures.
With a rich background spanning 25 years, Ron possesses extensive expertise in community and leadership development, with a specialization in fostering sustainable economic growth within Indigenous communities on a global scale. Throughout his career, Ron has collaborated closely with Indigenous artists, leaders, and organizers from diverse corners of the world. His experiences have taken him to countries such as New Zealand, Japan, Greece, South Korea, various nations in Africa, Bolivia, Peru, and numerous tribes across the United States.
Ron is a skilled facilitator with a current role as the lead trainer at the First Peoples Fund, where he also serves as a Board Member. In addition to his work with the First Peoples Fund, he runs his own enterprise, known as Creative Community Consulting. His outreach extends to high school students, where he focuses on cultivating leadership development. He collaborates with organizations such as the Brave Girls at the Santa Fe Indian School, the Native American Community Academy, and the Summer Policy Academy. Ron's commitment to the arts and education is further underscored by his role as the Director of the Pueblo Arts Academy, an innovative program with a strong artistic foundation. Moreover, his advocacy extends to representing over 300 Pueblo artists through his Pueblo Arts Program, which operates in conjunction with the Isleta Resort and Casino.