March 20, 21, 22, 2026
Sunizona, Arizona
Plein air pottery firing!
In March we will get together in the shadow of the Chiricahua Mountains to fire pottery together in the great outdoors. Some of us will camp out on site while others may prefer to stay in nearby hotels.
This event is only open to:
Friday March 20: Participants will gather at Chihuichi Ruins to collect firewood and get set up camp.
Saturday, March 21 We will begin firing pottery early to avoid the breezes that increase later in the day, 8:00 AM.
Sunday, March 22: We will be collecting clay from two different locations in the area, we should be finished by noon so people will have time to get home.
Feel free to attend only the days you are interested in. Please RSVP by March 1 using my contact form
Lodging
Camping is free on site, or there is a Forest Service campground up the road. Other lodging options are listed below.
- Yaqui Hideout – 18 miles away
- Dreamcatcher Inn – 3 miles away
- The Inn at Sunsites – 22 miles away
- Many Airbnb offerings
Hi Andy, regarding the Southwestern Potters Gathering,
I think maybe you mean March 25 & 26, not 25-16, right?. What time in the morning does it start? Also, I don’t see a price listed… I am signed up for the regular workshop in April, but I’m having some trouble working out the details. I might have to change. Can you put me on the waiting
It’s for the March one? Thanks, Martha
Yes sorry about that. Through the wonders of copy and paste that type is all over the place (Facebook, Instagram, etc). The gathering is free and very informal so it starts whenever people decide to do something and runs until people stop doing things.
Thank you, Andy . I will be there. I am so happy to have something to look forward to .
Glad to hear it Doug, looking forward to seeing you there
Andy, is the SWPG conference in March limited to a certain amount of people? Never been to one, so am wondering (besides camping gear & food) what should one plan in taking with them for the conference? Clay, tools, slips, chairs, tables, etc? Please let me know. Thanks, Paul.
This is a very informal gathering. Just a bunch of potters getting together to fire pottery, camp, talk etc. There is very little out there as far as infrastructure so bring whatever you need.
Hi Andy,
Learning a lot through your videos and Blogs!
Is this event full and when and where do you sign up?
This event looks so cool and you are generous for moving the venue to your own property. I’ll be taking ceramic workshops in Thailand in February but if I’m back in March I totally want to join this event or the next if you put on another!
Cheers,
Alyx
There is no sign up, so just show up if you want to. I hope you can make it.
Howdy Andy!
Would you post the addy to the re scheduled SPG gating on your property.
Thanks in n advance,
Mike Henrichs.
Ajo AZ.
There’s literally a map on this page. My property is just raw land but it is right across the street from the TAAA Chiricahua Astronomy Complex 9315 E Perseus Way, Pearce, AZ
Thank you for that info Andy. Now that we’re doing some more strategic planning…
We will be driving our RV there (from San Diego) and plan to arrive Friday evening, hopefully before dark. Is it ok to just drive onto your land and park overnight? (dry camping) and does cell phones work there? (AT&T). Will you be arriving Saturday morning?
I use Verizon and have good service there, not sure how well AT&T works there. I will be there on Friday afternoon and others are planning on arriving on Friday as well, so I am sure people will be around when you arrive. If the open space on my property fills up we may have to park some cars and RVs along the road. There is also an RV park nearby.
Hi Andy. Thank you for putting this together. I plan on making it there for both days.
Awesome
Andy, I am new to the Southwest but I have been following you on YouTube for 2-3 years. I have learned so much already, but am looking forward to learning more. I hope to see you in March. What is weather usually like at the end of March? Night temps and day temp ranges? Thanks. Hope to see you soon. Alivia Biko
Warm days and cool nights. It may get into the 30s at night
Hi Andy,
Our drive will be about 3 hours, do you think we could arrive at the campsite at about 11 am on saturday and people will be there? I know that this is informal, but we’re thinking of spending one nite and leaving on Sunday afternoon but I just want to know when you think people will start arriving.
Thank you.
Yes, many people will arrive on Friday. I imagine by 11 on Saturday most people will already be there. I have no idea how many people will show up.