O’odham Pottery

Tohono O’odham potter revitalizing traditional paddle-and-anvil pottery with the O’odham Haha’adam Collective for the next generation of makers.

Wa:k O’odham artist, Harrison Preston is a traditional Basket weaver and potter, who creates both traditional and contemporary work, all while trying to preserve and respect the traditions therein. He was raised and currently lives on the San Xavier Indian Reservation (Wa:k), a district of the Tohono O’odham Nation, south of Tucson, Arizona. 

While attending high school, Harrison began learning traditional Tohono O’odham basketry from noted Tohono O’odham artist and activist, the late Terrol Dew Johnson. Under Terrol’s tutelage, Harrison would go on to win several awards at Native American art markets at the Heard Museum and the Arizona State Museum. 

After high school, Harrison briefly attended the Institute of American Indian Arts in Santa Fe, NM, and also Pima Community College in Tucson, where he studied metalsmithing and sculpture.

In 2017, Harrison began learning Traditional Tohono O’odham pottery from Kathleen Vance of Sells, AZ, and has worked with her and others to reinvigorate O’odham pottery traditions. Harrison can be found demonstrating and showcasing his work at regional markets and events across Southern Arizona.