The Tiptons have a deep appreciation for Native American arts, especially pottery. “They’d perfect their trade in our studio and then open up their own businesses,” Jay Tipton said. Ute potters Norman Lansing and Dorothy Wing and Navajo potters Virginia Silas and Arnold Jones were some of their main producers who became successful artists. We could not make pottery quick enough,” Tipton said.Īt its peak, Mesa Verde Pottery employed 35 workers and artists, many of whom have become famous.

“The Grand Canyon was our biggest account. “Scott and I used to do the molding of the pottery ourselves in a back trailer, but then turned over the pottery making to the Native American artists,” Jay Tipton said.Īn expanded store was built at the current location to keep up with demand for Native American pottery. The Tiptons started their business in 1979 in a studio across from McDonald’s in Cortez. “It was our single biggest selling point.” “It added tremendous personalization to the piece, to see the artist create it, and then buy a signed pot off the shelf,” Tipton said. Native American potters created their artwork in a studio that could be viewed by visitors through a glass wall. We’ve been hoping for years to sell it to them in order to continue the Native Arts focus of the store.”įor 35 years, the innovative format of Mesa Verde Pottery is what attracted tourists and locals, Tipton said. “The location has good exposure, and they have good marketing.

“Selling to the Utes is a perfect fit,” said Jay Tipton. The Montezuma County Recorder reports the 15,000-square-foot building was purchased for $825,000 from brothers and long-time owners Scott and Jay Tipton. The Ute Mountain pottery studio and retail store is currently on U.S. The Ute Mountain Ute tribe has purchased Mesa Verde Pottery, an enduring icon of local tourism on the eastern entrance to Cortez.Īccording to several sources, the tribe plans to establish its pottery manufacturing and cultural-arts store at the location.

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