As a ball of clay can be stretched and shaped into a towering work of art, the tugging nature of ambition can take an idea and mold it into something grander.
In Patrick Trujillo’s case, ambition led him to Not Made in China.
The pottery studio and art showcase space sits on the southwest corner of Yale Boulevard and Avenida Cesar Chavez — its arms open wide to artists everywhere.
“We will showcase every art form,” said Trujillo, the owner and director of Not Made in China. A UNM student with five years of ceramics below his belt, Trujillo is an artist looking to create opportunities for other artists.
Not Made in China offers lessons for $10, and $50 a month buys you a creative space, which includes 50 pounds of clay, glaze, and fire. It’s an art showcase as much as it is a place to develop and create,
Trujillo said.
“I’m trying to make it so that people come and do what they want to do, have fun with it, and then give me the opportunity to sell it for them,” he said.
Open since September 2008, Not Made in China has a handful of local artists who stand firmly behind this studio.
Painter/sculptor B. J. Quintana said he has been a fan of the store since it opened its doors.
“It’s one of the best places to do ceramic art,” Quintana said.
Interested in most kinds of art, Quintana was initially drawn to the studio’s accessibility of equipment, later growing fond of the calming work space.
“It’s a very inspiring environment,” Quintana said. “Very relaxed … (which is) critical if you want to do art.”
Draped against the studio’s walls and placed on top of display tables, pieces of work from artists across
Albuquerque are laid throughout Not Made in China. Whereas handcrafted bowls and other assorted pieces of pottery appear to be the main attraction to the studio’s showcase, paintings, tiles, mosaics, prints and wire sculptures capture the eye with their blending shades of sky blue, maroon and dusty yellow.
Standing out almost as sharply as the art within the studio, Trujillo said he takes great pride in his business and its bold name.
“Not Made in China is, well, it’s a symbol,” he said. “I believe when you look at something that’s made in China, there’s a whole lot of information transferred. … Everything is produced on the cheapest level. People should do what comes natural to them. They should enjoy it, and they should choose it.”
Looking ahead, Trujillo’s ambition truly shines as he sees Not Made in China expanding as the years come.
“Eventually, Not Made in China is going to be, actually, a very large production company, which will employ as many people that are willing to work,” Trujillo said. “My ultimate goal is whenever I set up in a new state, to reduce the unemployment level by a certain percent. And that sounds pretty incredible, but I can never give myself limits.”
