Marvin Blackmore

There is no question that pottery is an ancient art form. When archeologists dig through layers of dirt to reveal ancient civilizations, perhaps the most common item found amongst ruins is pottery. Pottery is intended to last many lifetimes. It is this knowledge that allows Marvin Blackmore to spend hundreds of hours sculpting a single piece of pottery and then carefully and deliberately etch meticulous designs on every visible surface. The process requires a good eye, a steady hand, and unwavering patience, but in the end, a completely hand made one-of-a-kind work of art will endure as a thing of beauty for generations to come.

Downtown Telluride is now home to the first exclusive gallery of this pottery: Blackmore Galleries. Marvin Blackmore, who developed the technique of adding multiple layers of colored clay slips to a pot and then carving exceptionally intricate designs to reveal the various colors beneath, is a nationally recognized artist. His constantly evolving designs, while primarily influenced by Southwestern Native Americans, now incorporate influences from Plains Indians and even the ancient East and Middle East.

All great art evolves over time and is influenced by conditions both deliberate and accidental, through both original thought and collaboration. Blackmore Pottery is no exception. Blackmore is no longer just a surname but now defines a unique style of American pottery.