Poeh Museum
Encyclopedia
The Poeh Museum, founded by Pojoaque Pueblo in 1988, is devoted to the arts and culture of the Pueblo
people, especially the Tewas of northern New Mexico
. In Tewa, “Poeh” means pathway. The permanent exhibit Nah Poeh Meng (Tewa, "The Continuous Path") was created by Mark Van Wickler and Iron Orca Studios of Washington State and portrays Pueblo history from the Pueblo viewpoint, and features sculptures by Roxanne Swentzell
and murals by Marcellus Medina of Zia Pueblo.
The landmark Poeh Center, completed in 2003, is widely recognized for its traditional Pueblo architecture and building techniques. Built of adobe
bricks and local wood products, it houses the Poeh Museum, the Poeh Arts educational program, the Tower Gallery, and administrative offices. The Poeh Tower, currently occupied by sculptor Roxanne Swentzell
, is the tallest adobe structure in New Mexico.
prints to snapshots of contemporary Pueblo
life. Approximately 5,000 of these images have been catalogued and digitized, with the remainder expected to be completed by the end of 2009.
Pueblo
Pueblo is a term used to describe modern communities of Native Americans in the Southwestern United States of America. The first Spanish explorers of the Southwest used this term to describe the communities housed in apartment-like structures built of stone, adobe mud, and other local material...
people, especially the Tewas of northern New Mexico
New Mexico
New Mexico is a state located in the southwest and western regions of the United States. New Mexico is also usually considered one of the Mountain States. With a population density of 16 per square mile, New Mexico is the sixth-most sparsely inhabited U.S...
. In Tewa, “Poeh” means pathway. The permanent exhibit Nah Poeh Meng (Tewa, "The Continuous Path") was created by Mark Van Wickler and Iron Orca Studios of Washington State and portrays Pueblo history from the Pueblo viewpoint, and features sculptures by Roxanne Swentzell
Roxanne Swentzell
Roxanne Swentzell is a well-known clay sculptor from Santa Clara Pueblo. She attended the Institute of American Indian Arts in Santa Fe, New Mexico and later the Portland Art Museum School in Portland, Oregon....
and murals by Marcellus Medina of Zia Pueblo.
The landmark Poeh Center, completed in 2003, is widely recognized for its traditional Pueblo architecture and building techniques. Built of adobe
Adobe
Adobe is a natural building material made from sand, clay, water, and some kind of fibrous or organic material , which the builders shape into bricks using frames and dry in the sun. Adobe buildings are similar to cob and mudbrick buildings. Adobe structures are extremely durable, and account for...
bricks and local wood products, it houses the Poeh Museum, the Poeh Arts educational program, the Tower Gallery, and administrative offices. The Poeh Tower, currently occupied by sculptor Roxanne Swentzell
Roxanne Swentzell
Roxanne Swentzell is a well-known clay sculptor from Santa Clara Pueblo. She attended the Institute of American Indian Arts in Santa Fe, New Mexico and later the Portland Art Museum School in Portland, Oregon....
, is the tallest adobe structure in New Mexico.
Photo archive
The Poeh Museum archive holds about 10,000 photographs, ranging from early Edward S. CurtisEdward S. Curtis
Edward Sheriff Curtis was a photographer of the American West and of Native American peoples.-Early life:...
prints to snapshots of contemporary Pueblo
Pueblo
Pueblo is a term used to describe modern communities of Native Americans in the Southwestern United States of America. The first Spanish explorers of the Southwest used this term to describe the communities housed in apartment-like structures built of stone, adobe mud, and other local material...
life. Approximately 5,000 of these images have been catalogued and digitized, with the remainder expected to be completed by the end of 2009.
Sources and external links
- Poeh Museum
- Poeh Center
- Nah Poeh Meng, Sculpted Cave Interior by Iron Orca Studios. Sculpture by Roxanne Swentzell