Mata Ortiz ceramic artists honored at regional contest

The Fondo de Apoyo a la Artesanía (Fodarch) honored the ceramic artists of Mata Ortiz during the 29th Regional Ceramics Contest 2026. Held at the Old Railway Station in the municipality of Casas Grandes, the event featured approximately 200 pieces.

Carla Martínez Vargas received the Prize for Excellence, the highest distinction of the competition, with a 35,000 peso award. Lorenzo Elías Peña Pacheco was awarded the Galardón Prize of 25,000 pesos. A total of 26 prizes were distributed from a 400,000 peso fund provided equally by Fodarch and the Fondo Nacional para el Fomento de las Artesanías (Fonart).

Other category winners included Rosa Elena Rentería Heras, Edgar Iván Martínez López, Silvia Veloz Guillén, Ramiro Veloz Casas, Jazmín Ramírez Corona, Gregorio Silveira Hernández, Laura Bugarini Cota, and María Graciela Martínez Quezada. The contest, organized alongside the Casas Grandes City Council, aimed to recognize the work of local artisans and preserve the internationally recognized ceramic traditions of Chihuahua.