(1971 - ) Oscar Soteno learned to create with clay as a child and began work as a professional artist thirty years ago. He represents the third generation of artists creating clay art from his pottery workshop in Oaxaca, Mexico, which he operates with his wife, Maria, and three other family members. Soteno has developed his own unique style incorporating figurative elements, a wealth of detail and vibrant color to differentiate his work from that of other artists working in a similar medium. Soteno makes all of his own paints using natural pigments from the earth. He specializes particularly in “Trees of Life” and Day-of-the-Dead-themed work. Oscar Soteno has exhibited extensively in both national and international museums. His pieces stand out for the quality of their finish and variety of rich hues. Soteno has gained acknowledgements and awards at exhibitions, competitions and art fairs, including the Galardón Nacional in Jalisco in 1995 and the Premio Fomento Cultural Banamex in 1996. He was selected by the Fomento Cultural Banamex to participate in the organization’s program to promote Mexican handcrafts and folk art as one of Mexico’s 150 Great Masters of Mexican Folk Art. Soteno was also commissioned to create clay sculptural works by Pope John Paul II in the Vatican in Rome. *