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The landmark Poeh Center is widely recognized for its traditional Pueblo architecture and building techniques. Built of adobe bricks and local wood products, it is the result of a unique collaboration between two programs of the Pueblo of Pojoaque: the nonprofit Poeh Cultural Center and the for-profit Pojoaque Pueblo Construction Services Corporation (PPCSC)
The Pueblo established the Poeh Center in 1988 as a vehicle for Pueblo artistic expression and both Native American and public education. This collaboration began in 1993 when the Pueblo of Pojoaque’s Tribal Council created and incorporated Pojoaque Pueblo Construction Services Corporation to generate new revenues for, and to oversee the construction and maintenance of the Poeh Center. Until then, the Center’s programs, including its Museum, were offered in venues throughout the eight northern Pueblos, which restricted access to these programs.
The profits from PPCSC’s initial projects were used to complete Phase I of the Center in 1996. This is a 7,560 square foot facility, which houses Poeh Arts’ classrooms, studios and workshops. In late 1999, PPCSC completed construction of Phase II: an 18,966 square foot structure that houses the Center’s administrative offices and will host its new 10,000 square foot Poeh Museum, scheduled to open in fall 2002.
In keeping with the Poeh Center’s aim of intergenerational teaching of traditional Pueblo arts, Pojoaque Pueblo Construction Services Corporation has incorporated training programs in the time-honored construction methods into the building of the Poeh Center through the State of New Mexico’s Youth Conservation Corps Program. This complements the Center’s training programs and internships in arts and museum administration and curatorial professions for young Pojoaque Pueblo Tribal members.
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