Close Window

About this Artist

"Our story is one of a family birthright. "My grandmother, Doña Rosa, created the glossy black pottery technique and greatly helped in letting this type of ceramics become known throughout Mexico and the world. Over time, she became very well known and if you take a look at the photos in our workshop, you'll see her with almost all the presidents of Mexico, beginning with Adolfo Lopez Mateos, and music star Luis Miguel, the millionaire Nelson Rockefeller, the Yugoslav dictator Tito and U.S. President Jimmy Carter.

"When my grandmother passed away, my father, Valente Nieto, inherited her technique. He continued with my grandmother's work and taught his children too. Sadly, in 2010, he passed away. He was very old and his health was fragile. Today, we five sons and daughters have the obligation to keep Doña Rosa's memory and proud heritage alive. We are privileged to posses her original techniques and we work to maintain her high standards of quality and the rich shine of her ceramics. Our children also lend a hand. In addition to their schoolwork, they have learned the craft that is our legacy to them.

"It's been more than 40 years now since my family has been dedicated to this beautiful handicraft. The process it totally manual and our pottery is unique, which has helped our work to become recognized in Mexico and other countries.

"In our workshop, five families have become one. The women who assist us need to work and we offer them jobs and help. We have set up the workshop so that they can be with their children and look after them, but there is no risk to them. We've had our problems, but we've also had moments of great happiness. These have inspired us to continue striving to get ahead, and this is what we project in our ceramic designs.

"We hope you like our work. It is done with love and great care."