In Santa María Atzompa, Oaxaca, a town celebrated for its centuries-old clay traditions, Colectivo Guerrero brings the magic of barro to life. Led by Juana Betza Beth Guerrero and her family, this workshop is a family legacy, rooted in the stories, hands, and care of generations. Juana grew up surrounded by pottery, learning through observation, play, and admiration. She fondly remembers her mother handing her a small piece of clay as a sweet distraction—an early gesture that opened her heart to the enchanting world of clay and ancestral artistry.
At 28, Juana opened her own workshop alongside her husband, Miguel Ángel Enríquez, honoring their roots through labor-intensive creations: pots, sugar bowls, fruit bowls, decorative vases, and more. Each piece takes 12 to 17 days to complete, a testament to patience, precision, and love.
Their process begins with sourcing high-quality clay from Atzompa’s local mines, blending the signature grey clay with black and white clays. The black is dried and soaked, while the white is sifted into a fine pigment, creating a smooth, refined texture. Every piece is hand-shaped, sun-dried, and then fired in a traditional wood kiln. After glazing, it is fired again at a higher temperature, with a final touch of layering hot pieces with sawdust, producing rich tonal variations and smoky finishes that shift with the seasons.
Each creation from Colectivo Guerrero reflects heritage, patience, and pride, capturing the living tradition of Atzompa. Behind every piece lies energy, dedication, and love—a connection to the past, a celebration of the present, and a gift for the world to hold, treasure, and share.
