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At the end of January, Corrales’s oldest pottery venue closed its doors for good. Rather abruptly, Hanselmann Pottery announced its closure on Instagram. The potters thanked their customers for years of support before stating that the closure was due to ‘certain circumstances’ but did not go into further detail. The website has since been deleted as well.
The shop’s Instagram and phone recording says that they had made sure to honor all orders up until that point, to avoid any disappointment. The announcement was met with shock on social media, where thousands of people liked and commented on the status, showing their respect.
In an act of goodwill, Hanselmann also listed a number of local small businesses that would provide similar services which were dotted around Albuquerque, Corrales, and Santa Fe. Nonetheless, in terms of size and impact, this was undoubtedly the biggest of all pottery makers in the area.
Over the years, Hanselmann Pottery earned the reputation of a beloved ceramics studio and gallery located in Corrales. Founded in 1970 by a group of talented potters, Hanselmann created ‘beautiful and functional stoneware’ for over 50 years.
Their handcrafted pieces ranged from mugs and plates to vases and bowls. The studio was known to Corralenos for its cozy and welcoming atmosphere, with a small honor system shop that inviting visitors to purchase their favorite pieces.
In a phone message recording, the shop’s operators had this to say, “This breaks our heart and is beyond control of our team. It has been a privilege to make your pottery.”