Holding hands with the area’s rich history and heritage, Yuma has an amazing artistic and cultural community that is steadily growing as the town becomes a more popular destination. One of the many studios and galleries worth visiting is Colorado River Pottery, Jan Bentley’s working studio and gallery. Using a combination of centuries-old techniques and work coupled with modern technology, Jan specializes in functional stoneware pottery. Giving us a greater appreciation of her art-- it’s fun that she shares her creative process by making her pottery in the studio adjoining her gallery--in public view.

A Yuma resident for over 20 years, and business/studio owner for over 15 years, Jan’s love for her area is obvious, ‘I love the laid back atmosphere, the sunshine and the desert. This is the perfect place for me.’ Born in New Jersey, Jan studied art at Cooper Union in New York City and finished her BA degree in Applied Arts at the University of Oregon! She has been creating pottery for over 25 years - and explaining why pottery is her choice of art form, ‘I like to make things that make people happy, and that they use. I like turning raw clay into something that can last for a lifetime’.  

Some people think that the ancient Indians made petroglyphs as a kind of ‘newspaper’ to record events. This rock art is found throughout the Southwest. Many of Jan’s designs are based on local rock, also showing hints of southwestern designs and colors. Her beautiful pieces in her gallery include Vases and Decorative Objects; Mugs, Bowls and Baking Dishes; Custom Dinnerware; Address Tiles and Decorative Ceramics; Wasabi Dishes; Candle Stick Holders; and her popular Yuma Salsa Bowls with her recipe for Yuma Salsa (below). All pieces are lead free, microwave and dishwasher safe, non-toxic, and oven proof. Jan’s pottery is stoneware clay fired to a high temperature which makes it very durable. With reasonable care it should give one many years of use and pleasure.

Jan’s Yuma Salsa Recipe
Whirl in a blender or food processor: One 15 oz. can of crushed or chopped tomatoes, a pinch of garlic powder, sugar, salt, oregano and 1/4 tsp. cumin.
Stir In: One small chopped onion, 1 tsp. vinegar, 4 oz. can of chopped green chilies - or jalapenos if you like it hot!
Add: Chopped fresh cilantro to taste
Refrigerate unused salsa and use within a few days.

Visit Jan in her studio and gallery - Colorado River Pottery, at 67 Second Street, near the corner of Second Street and Madison Avenue, Yuma Az; for details, click here.
 

Colorado River Pottery Studio and Gallery: Functional Stoneware Pottery by Yuma Artist - Jan Bentley. Using a combination of centuries-old techniques and modern technology, each piece is hand-formed which makes it slightly different from every other piece. Custom and personalized orders welcome. Tel: (928) 343-0413 or (888) 410-2689. 67 West Second Street, Yuma, AZ, 85364. For more information, click here.	Send Page To a Friend  Yuma AZ Guide
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