Gifted to the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire in 2017, the LaBelle Miller Southwest Pottery Collection contains approximately 400 pieces of pottery hand crafted by American Indians from the American Southwest. The bulk of the collection is contemporary, created between 1972-2016. The collection includes strong representations from Hopi, Kewa, Acoma, Cochiti, Jemez, San Ildefonso, Zia, Zuni, and other nations. The collection is available for individual research and class use through McIntyre Library's Special Collections and Archives Department.
The collection was acquired by Richard LaBelle, a 1968 UW-Eau Claire art education graduate, and Al Miller, a 1972 UW-River Falls art education graduate. Richard and Al taught art in Northwest Wisconsin for over 30 years. During summer breaks and after retiring they combined their knowledge of fine art with a love for pottery as they build their collection during numerous trips between Wisconsin and the American Southwest (click here for more information about the donors).
This site provides a searchable guide to the collection which includes images of each piece.
