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Bertha Gachupin
Jemez

Bertha Gachupin , “Thunder Flower”, was born into the Jemez Pueblo in 1954. She is a full blooded Native American Indian, member of the Zia and Corn Clan. Bertha was inspired to learn the art of making pottery by her Grandmother, Persingula Gachupin. She was also inspired artistically and economically to continue the family tradition of hand coiling pottery.

Bertha specializes in handmade corn stalk pottery. She has continued to use only traditional methods to make her pottery and has mastered the hand coiling, stone polish, and traditional firing needed to perfect her pottery. Bertha’s unique style is to use a buff or red slip on the pottery , then applies melon swirls that are carved into the her pottery. She then accents the finished product with corn painted designs to denote her clan origin. The pottery is then hand polished after firing. Bertha signs her pottery as: Bertha Gachupin, Jemez, followed by a corn symbol.

Marie Romero(aunt), Lenora Fragua (mother), Maxine Toya (cousin), Laura Gachupin (cousin), and Virginia “Ponca” Fragua (sister) are among many of the artists that Bertha is related to.

Awards:

-1995 New Mexico State Fair 2nd Place
-1994 New Mexico State Fair 4th Place

Publications:

-Southern Pueblo Pottery 2,000 Artist Biographies

Joseph Gachupin
Jemez

Joseph Gachupin is a full blooded Native American Indian. He was born in 1953 into the Jemez Pueblo. He was inspired to learn the art of working with clay using ancient traditional methods from his wife, Caroline Gachupin. His sister-in-law, Emily Tsosie taught Joseph all the fundamentals of working with natural pigments found within the Jemez Pueblo. She also taught him special methods to apply when constructing his masterpieces of art. The lucrative aspect of the business also was inspiration for him to continue the long lived legacy of working with clay. When Joseph first began constructing his art he was occasionally teased about doing women’s work until he became more successful and won more awards for his accomplishments.

Joseph specializes in hand pinched and hand molded corn maidens and corn sculptures. He gathers his clay, soaks the clay, screens for impurifications, hand mixes with other pigments, hand pinches each kernel of corn, hand shapes, hand paints, and fires outdoors, with cedar chips. The paints are all derived from natural plants and minerals which are collected and boiled together by Joseph. He signs his art as: J.R. Gachupin, Jemez.

Awards:

- New Mexico State Fair 1st Place
- New Mexico State Fair 2nd Place
- Denver Arts and Crafts Show
- Dallas Arts and Crafts Show

Publications:

-Southern Pueblo Pottery 2,000 Artist Biographies
-Storytellers and Other Figurative Pottery

Laura Gauchupin
Jemez

Laura Gauchupin was born into the pueblo of Jemez in the late 1950’s. Laura was inspired to learn the art of working with clay from her mother, Marie Romero. Marie taught Laura all the fundamentals of making pottery using methods passed down from generation to generation. Laura has been working with clay for over 25 years. Laura attended the Institute of American Arts in Santa Fe New Mexico . At the Institute, Laura gained even a greater history, respect, and knowledge of making Native American pottery. Laura also gained an interest for some contemporary styles at that time. Laura is known for pottery of various shapes and sizes as well as some clay sculptures. Some of these are the: owl jar, kiva bowl, and geometric designs. One of Laura's current styles that has really caught on is a melon bowl with a fabulous stone polish usually buff in color.

Publications:

-Southern Pueblo Pottery 2,000 Artist Biographies
-American Indian Pottery 2nd edition
-Southwestern Pottery Anasazi to Zuni
-Miniature Arts of the Southwest
-Storytellers and Other Figurative Pottery
-Talking with the Clay
-Collections of Southwestern Pottery
-Southwestern Pottery 1999 Edition

Awards:

- Santa Fe Indian Market
- Gallup Ceremonial.
- New Mexico State Fair

Wilma M. Gachupin
Jemez

Wilma M. Gachupin, “Sacred Rock Basket”, is a full blooded Native American Indian, born into the Pueblo of the Jemez, in 1957. Wilma was inspired to learn the art of pottery making by her brother, Kenneth Sando. She has been working with clay since the age of 28.

Wilma specializes in the natural hand coiled and hand painted storytellers, nativity’s, and corn maidens. However, she was taught all the fundamentals of hand coiling pottery. Wilma gathers clay and other natural pigments within the Jemez Pueblo, and cleans, hand mixes, hand shapes, and paints her sculptures using all natural colors by herself. Wilma’s storytellers always have really big bright eyes, and she said “I got the idea from my daughter, Megan, when she was born with bright eyes.” Wilma signs her pottery as: Wilma M. Gachupin, Jemez.

Wilma is related to the following artists: Kenneth Sando (brother), Megan Gachupin and Kayla Gachupin (daughters).

Awards:

-1999 New Mexico State Fair 3rd Place
-Eighth Northern Arts & Crafts Show
-Towa Arts & Crafts Show
- New Mexico State Fair

Publications:

-Southern Pueblo Pottery 2,000 Artist Biographies
-Storytellers and Other Figurative Pottery

Elliott & Zelda Garcia

Acoma

Elliott & Zelda Garcia, members of the Sun Clan and Parrot Clan, are full blooded Native American Indians from the Pueblo of Acoma. Elliott was born in 1947 and Zelda was born in 1967. They were inspired to continue the family tradition of pottery crafting by their creativity, and economic motivation.

They specialize in hand crafting ceramic pottery. Each piece of pottery that they craft has special meaning: White pottery represents Mother Earth.and Sunce and sunrise represents clan origin. Bear and bear claw represents power, straight, and long life. Feathers represent spirits up above. Lizards and turtles represent good luck. Pueblos represent Acoma Sky City . The colors they use also represent elements of the earth like: red and yellow represent the sun, blue represents the sky. Black represents the clouds and mountains. The fine lines represent the rain that is one of the oldest designs used. They etch and craft all these symbols on their pottery freehand, no stencils are involved.They sign their pottery as: Zel Sun Rise, followed by a sun symbol to denote their clan origin.

They are related to the following artists: Shana, Lynette, Janet Garcia (daughters), and Wilfred Garcia (brother).

Awards:

-None to date

Publications:

-Southern Pueblo Pottery 2,000 Artist Biographies

Evangeline Garcia and Helen Piaso
Navajo

Evangeline Garcia and Helen Piaso are sisters that have teamed up to make authentic Navajo handmade dolls. Evangeline was born in 1959 and Helen was born in 1941. They were born into the Navajo Nation. They were inspired to continue the family tradition, and to learn the art of doll making from their Mother, Hannah Garcia. Evangeline was 14 years old when she began experimenting with cloth dolls. Helen was 20 years old when she decided to make cloth dolls. They were also economically motivated to create a form of art.

They were taught all the fundamentals of sewing. They use cloth, sequins, beads, wool, yarn, and cotton, to stitch together cloth dolls and figurines like: corn grinders, horses, story tellers, and Navajo ladies with babies.

They are related to: Jenny and Johnny Manuelito.

Awards:

-None to date

Gloria “Goldendrod” Garcia
Santa Clara

Gloria “Goldendrod” Garcia is a full blooded Native American Indian. She was born in 1942 into the Santa Clara Pueblo. She was taught all the fundamentals of constructing pottery vessels using the ancient traditional way by members of her Pueblo .

Goldenrod specializes in hand coiled and sgrafitto seed jars. She gathers her raw clumps of clay, volcanic ash, and natural vegetation from within the Santa Clara Pueblo. She breaks down the clumps of clay and the volcanic ash into a fine powder form and hand mixes it with water to produce a fine medium, once that has been obtained she begins rolling the clay out into long snake like coils and begins hand building her vessels, once the pottery has taken form it is set out to dry. When the pottery has dried she sands each piece by hand to smooth out any rough edges. She hand polishes and hand etches her designs without any stencils. Her designs range in a wide variety of horses, buffalo, corn maidens, Avanyu (serpent believed to protect Pueblo People), butterflies, rain clouds, deer, bears, bear paws, and redwing blackbirds. Goldenrod completes her masterpieces by offering a traditional outdoor firing. She signs her pottery as: Goldendrod. She is related to: John Garcia (husband), Jason Garcia, John David Garcia, Jr. (sons), and Petra Gutierrez (mother).

Publications:

- Pueblo Indian Pottery 750 Artist Biographies
-Southwestern Pottery Anasazi to Zuni
-Miniatures of the Southwest
-American Indian Art Magazine 1978 & 1978
-Indian Artist Magazine 1990 & 1996

Awards:

-2001 New Mexico State Fair 4th Place
-1998 Santa Fe Indian Market 3rd Place
-1994 Santa Fe Indian Market 1st Place
-1992 Santa Fe Indian Market 2nd Place
-1990 Santa Fe Indian Market 1st Place
-1989 Santa Fe Indian Market 1st Place
-1988 Santa Fe Indian Market 3rd Place
-1986 Santa Fe Indian Market 2nd Place
-1983 Santa Fe Indian Market 1st Place
-1981 Santa Fe Indian Market 2nd Place
-1979 Santa Fe Indian Market 2nd Place
-1978 Santa Fe Indian Market 2nd Place
-1977 Santa Fe Indian Market Best of Division

Greg Garcia
Santa Clara/San Juan

Greg Garcia was born in 1961. He is a full blooded Native American Indian. He is half San Juan and half Santa Clara . He was inspired to make pottery at the age of 14 by his Grandmother, Severa Tafoya. She taught him all the fundamentals of making traditional pottery. She also encouraged him to continue the long lived family tradition of working with clay.

Greg specializes in the hand coiled traditional black and red Santa Clara pottery. He gathers his clay from the sacred grounds within the Santa Clara Pueblo. He hand cleans the clay, mixes, hand coils, shapes, and fires his pottery the traditional way, outdoors, with horse manure. He also will polish his pottery to add a great shine on his masterpieces. Greg signs his pottery as: Greg Garcia, San Juan/Santa Clara.

Greg is related to the following artists: Tina Garcia (sister) and Angela Baca (aunt).

Awards:

-1998 Gallup Intertribal Arts & Crafts Show
-1st, 2nd, and 3rd place
-1994 Gallup Inter-Tribal Arts & Crafts Show
-Best in show

Publications:

-Southwestern Pottery Anasazi to Zuni
-Fourteen Families in Pueblo Pottery
-Miniature Arts of the Southwest
- Pueblo Indian Pottery 750 Artist Biographies

Loretta Garcia
Acoma

Loretta Garcia, “U-Wi-Nit”, was born into the Acoma Pueblo in 1956. She was inspired and encouraged to learn the art ofpottery making by her Mother, Marie Torivio. Marie taught Loretta all the fundamentals of pottery making, the traditional way, from start to finish. She was also economically motivated to make her pottery.

Loretta specializes in hand coiled traditional pottery. She gathers her clay from a sacred ground within the Acoma Pueblo. Loretta soaks the clay, cleans, sifts, mixes, hand coils,shapes, paints, and fires her pottery, the traditional way, outdoors, with pottery shards and manure. She hand coils many different shapes and sizes of pottery. She paints geometrical and traditional designs on her pottery. Loretta also paints on ceramic pottery. Loretta says, “I am proud to be able to continue the tradition, that my ancestors began many years ago. It brings peace to my mind knowing that I am contributing to their legacy.” Loretta signs her pottery as: L. Garcia, Acoma .

Loretta is related to the following artists: Nelda Lucero (sister) and Leslie Garcia (daughter).

Awards:

-New Mexico State Fair 2nd place

Publications:

-Southern Pueblo Pottery 2,000 Artist Biographies

Marcus “Red Corn Child”and Virginia Garcia
Acoma

Marcus “Red Corn Child”and Virginia Garcia are both full blooded Native American Indians that were born into the Acoma Pueblo. Marcus was born in 1937 and they are both members of the Sun Clan. Marcus was inspired to continue the family tradition of hand coiling pottery from his late Mother, Jessie Garcia. As a young child, Jessie taught Marcus all the fundamentals of pottery making the traditional way. He has seriously been making pottery since he was 17 years of age. The lucrative aspect of the business also played a roll in their interest in pottery making.

Marcus and Virginia specialize in re-creating early or pre historical pottery and bowls. They both contribute equally to their hard work. All of their pottery is made by the traditional hand coiling method. He extracts his colors from minerals and natural plant life surrounding the Acoma Pueblo. Marcus and Virginia are known for their hand painted lizard patterns on pre-historic pottery.

They sign their pottery as: V. Garcia , Acoma , NM .

They are related to Tina Garcia (sister) who is also a practicing artist.

Awards:

-1989 New Mexico State Fair 1st & 2nd Place
-1992 Jemez Pueblo Arts & Crafts Show 1st Place
-1995 Gallup Inter-Tribal Ceremonial 2nd Place

Publications:

-Southern Pueblo Pottery 2,000 Artist Biographies

Sally R. Garcia
Laguna

Sally R. Garcia, “Gah-Wee-Nah-Zah” (running brook), is a full blooded Native American Indian. She was born in 1940 into the Laguna Pueblo. Sally was inspired to continue a long lived tradition of working with pottery from within her heart. She strongly believes in keeping tradition alive and prosperous. She began carving on pottery at the age of 19 in 1959.

Sally is credited as the first pioneer for hand etchings on ceramic pottery.

Sally specializes in hand etching animals, Mudheads (clowns), flowers, and mimbres designs on ceramic pottery. Much of Sally’s etchings are stories of nature, which she is very proud and inspired by. She etches her designs with a simple tool, like a carving blade. Sally uses no stencils or other means to etch her intricate etchings. She currently is concentrating on etching ceramic horse hair pottery. Her etchings add a unique flare and compliment the horse hair pottery quite nicely. Sally has definitely proven herself as a true artisan with her intricate etch work. She signs her art work as: SGarcia, Laguna , N.M. or as: Sally R. Garcia, Laguna , N.M.

Sally is related to: Paul Lucario, Jr. (brother), Arthur Lucario (brother), Darren Pasquale (Nephew), Santana Antonio (grandmother), and Mildred Antonio (aunt).

Awards:

-1979 New Mexico State Fair 1st Place
-1980 New Mexico State Fair 1st Place
-1981 New Mexico State Fair 1st Place

Publications:

-Southern Pueblo Pottery 2,000
-Artist Biographies
-Southwestern Pottery Anasazi to Zuni

Tina Garcia
Santa Clara/San Juan

Tina Garcia is a full blooded Native American Indian born in 1957 into the Santa Clara Pueblo. Pueblo children are seldom taught to make pottery. They learn by watching and experimenting with clay on their own. She was inspired to learn the art of pottery making from Lydia Garcia (mother), Angela Baca (aunt), and Severa Tafoya (grandmother). As a young child, Tina observed them with a careful eye in hopes that someday she to would be able to add to the legacy of an artisan. Tina displayed a strong interest in continuing the family tradition of pottery making, at the age of 11. Her mother began to share traditional pottery making knowledge with her. Tina began hand coiling pottery for a living in 1980. She enrolled in the School of American Research to study older traditional pottery.

Tina specializes in handmade traditional Santa Clara pottery (black or red). All of her materials are provided for her from elements of the earth. She gathers her own clay, cleans, mixes, shapes, coils, and fires her pottery the traditional way, outdoors. Her pottery shows remarkable gift for form, and her polish is of superior quality. Today, Tina continues to produce only the finest quality of pottery, and her capability of making large pieces are a success. They range from 20” to 25” in height and diameter. Tina has worked with many prestigious pottery demonstrations and has assisted in producing a video along with Bruce Hucko for the Wheel Wright Museum in Santa Fe , N.M. about traditional pottery in our current era.

Tina has won awards too numerous to list and she is referenced in several publications. Her pottery is definitely an art to behold for generations to come.

Wilfred Garcia, Jr.
Acoma

Wilfred Garcia, Jr., is a full blooded Native American Indian. He was born in 1954 into the Acoma Pueblo. He was inspired to learn the art of working with clay from his mother-in-law, the late Stella Shutiva. She taught him all the fundamentals of working with clay and using the ancient traditional methods that have been passed down from generation to generation. Wilfred was very artistically inclined as a young boy and thus sparked his interest in pursuing a career as a pottery artisan.

Wilfred has established himself as a fine contemporary pottery artisan. He gathers clumps of natural clays from within the Acoma Pueblo. He breaks down the clumps into a fine powder form which he hand mixes with sand and water to temper the clay. Then, he rolls his moist clay into snake like coils and begins building his pottery into the desired shape. He creates many shapes of pottery vessels such as: seedpots, vases, and Mesa Verde motif vases with ladders. Once his vessels are built he sets them out to dry. Once his formed pottery vessels are dry he sands them down for a smooth finish. Finally, Wilfred fires his pottery in a kiln. He signs his pottery as: WGarcia, Acoma . Wilfred states: “Making pottery for over 12 years has given me joy and love for my art. I take my time with every piece that I construct so that each piece is special”. He is related to: Jackie Histia-Shutiva (sister-in-law) and Sandra Garcia (spouse).

Publications:

-Southern Pueblo Pottery 2,000 Artist Biographies
-Beyond Tradition
-Southwestern Pottery Anasazi to Zuni
-American Indian Art

Awards:

- Santa Fe Indian Market Best In Show
- Santa Fe Indian Market 1st, 2nd, & 3rd Place
- Santa Fe Indian Market Honorable Mention

Shawna Garcia-Rustin
Acoma

Shawna Garcia-Rustin is a full blooded Native American Indian. She was born in December of 1969 into the Acoma Pueblo, and is a member of the Red Corn Clan family. She learned the ancient art of working with clay from her parents in 1991. They taught her all the fundamentals of continuing the long lived ancient tradition of pottery making, using the hand coiling methods her ancestors used before her. She currently collaborates with Patrick Rustin, who was born into the Apache Tribe from California in 1970, and together this team makes the finest contemporary pottery created today.

Shawna and Patrick specialize together as a team to create the thinnest of all hand coiled abstract pottery vessels. They gather their raw clumps of clay and all natural vegetation needed for constructing their art from within the Acoma Pueblo. They break the clumps of clay into a fine powder form and mix it with water and other natural pigments. Once the clay is mixed, they begin rolling it out into snake like coils and they begin building the vessels. Once the vessels are created they are set out to dry, and when they are dried they are hand sanded and, finally hand painted with all natural slips applied with an authentic yucca stem that was fashioned into a brush. They are related to Elliott & Beatrice Garcia (parents). They sign the pottery as S. Garcia, Acoma N.M. or Garcia-Rustin.

Awards:

-1997 New Mexico State Fair 3rd Place
-1998 New Mexico State Fair Best of Show
-2000 New Mexico State Fair Best of Show
-2000 New Mexico State Fair 1st Place

Publications:

-Southern Pueblo Pottery 2,000 Artist Biographies
-Southwestern Pottery Anasazi to Zuni

Theresa Garcia-Salvador
Acoma

Theresa Garcia-Salvador is a full blooded Native American Indian. She was born in 1964, and is a member of the Red Corn Clan. She began experimenting with clay at the age of 23. Theresa was taught all the fundamentals of working with clay by her sister, Vivian Seymour. Vivian shared with Theresa the ancient methods of hand coiling pottery using traditional clays and other natural pigments provided by Mother Earth, which were passed down to her by her ancestors. The lucrative aspect of the business played a key role in her wanting to become an artisan.

Theresa specializes in hand coiled thin walled Acoma water vessels and flat seedpots. She gathers her materials from within the Acoma Pueblo. Theresa hand grinds, hand mixes, hand coils, shapes, and hand paints the pottery. Then, she fires her pottery the traditional way, outdoors. The colors used to paint her pottery are also boiled from natural pigments. Theresa has signed her pottery in the past as: T. Garcia, Acoma . Theresa now signs her pottery as: T. Salvador, Acoma . She is related to the following artists: Clovis Garcia (brother), Nadine Mansfield, Gary Louis, Rita Malie, and Veronica Louis (cousins).

Awards:

-None to date

Publications:

-Southern Pueblo Pottery 2,000 Artist Biographies

John F. Gonzales
San Ildefonso

John F. Gonzales is a full blooded Native American Tewa Indian from the San Ildefonso Pueblo. After a distinguished academic career at Stanford University and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Gonzales worked in a series of administrative and management positions. In 1987 he was elected by Tribes throughout the United States as President of the National Congress of American Indians. He was the youngest person ever elected to that position with the Bush Administration as a Consultant working with Secretary of the Interior Manuel Lujan in establishing the National Indian Gaming Commission. Early in 1991, Gonzales decided that he needed to return home to New Mexico and to reinvolve himself in Pueblo life. Little did he know this would lead to a career change.

With the encouragement of his father, Lorenzo, a well-established potter, Gonzales immersed himself into the ancient tradition of working with clay. He attributes the ease of his transition from a life in politics to a career in art to the assistance of his father and sister. They made clay, slips, and polishing stones available, but, more importantly, they shared their expertise. It didn’t take long for Gonzales to realize that he had a gift for working with clay. his doubts about whether or not he could make a living from his art work soon vanished.

In 1994 John Gonzales won the prestigious Southwest Association for Indian Art (SWAIA).Quail Run Fellowship. Events in 1995 led him to become more involved with the SWAIA Organization, the sponsor of the world class showcase of Indian Art-the Santa Fe Indian Market. He served on Board of Directors and served as Chairman in 1997. In October, 1998 he was honored with being inducted into the Stanford University American Indian Alumni Hall of Fame.

Gonzales has exhibited at the Santa Fe Indian Market, Eight Northern Indian Pueblos, Council Arts and Crafts Show, Eiteljorg Museum Indian Art Market in Indianapolis , Southwest Museum Indian Art show in Los Angeles , and the Heard Museum Guild Indian Fair in Phoenix . His pottery was selected for the opening exhibit at the Iris & B. Gerald Cantor Center for Visual Arts at Stanford University in January, 1999. His is especially grateful that he chose to come home when he did, since he lost his father in 1995, his mother and older brother in 1996.

The change in careers allowed him to spend precious time with his parents. “The natural clays I gather from Mother Earth sustains me and provides me with a spiritual sense of well-being,” he asserts. He firmly believes he was touched by the Creator and blessed with his artistic talent late in his life so that he could work side by side with his father and at the same time take care of his diabetic mother. “Their spirit moves through me and lies within each piece of pottery I create,” Gonzales concludes. His artistic career is dedicated to their memory.

Rita Gurley
Navajo

Rita Gurley is a full blooded Native American Indian. She was born into the Navajo Nation in 1950. She grew up in Houck, A.Z. in the reservation. At the age of 21 she married Joseph Gurley and decided to move away and begin her new life. She was taught to make artifacts from several different members of her family.The lucrative aspect of the business also was a key role in her inspiration to learn to craft art. She has been making artifacts since 1989.

Rita specializes in hand making contemporary replications of ancient artifacts that were useful tools and were essential to the lifestlye of her ancestors, which consist of bow & arrows, ceremonial rattles, tomahawks, spears, and pipes. Rita uses many different materials on her art like: leather, rawhide, wooden beads, turkey feathers, antler bones, authentic horse hair, metal, and seed beads. With all these raw materials, Rita uses her artistic imagination and makes some of the most interesting traditional artifacts from an unforgotten legacy. Rita really enjoys her God given talent. She says it soothes her mind and takes her back to a time when life was much more simple.

Rita is related to Vernie Nez who also constructs artifacts and weaves navajo rugs.

Awards:

-1998 New Mexico State Fair 1st place
-1997 New Mexico State Fair 1st place

Gary Gutierrez
Santa Clara- Tewa

Gary Gutierrez, “P’aa-Ay-P’in”, or “ Deer Mountain ”,was born in 1967 to the Santa Clara Pueblo-Tewa. He began working with clay at the age of 9. Through out this time he also began to sell his art successfully. Gary was inspired to make pottery by the Anasazi people.

Gary specializes in hand making what he calls Anasazi figurines. He said, “To me they represent a time, when life was simple and balanced in this world.” Gary ’s favorite one’s to mold are the figures that hold the pottery. Gary signs his pottery as: Gary Gutierrez, Santa Clara, followed by the month and year they were sculpted.

Gary is related to the following artists: Paul Gutierrez, Dorothy Gutierrez (parents), Luther Gutierrez (grandfather), Margaret Gutierrez (aunt), Lela Gutierrez, and Van Gutierrez (great grandparents).

Awards:

-1999 New Mexico State Fair 2nd Place
-1999 Santa Fe Indian Market ( 2) 1st Place
-Santa Fe Indian Market (1st numerous times)
-New Mexico State Fair (1st numerous times)
- Gallup Inter Tribal Ceremony (1st 1993-1995)
-Bank of Santa Fe 1985 artist under 18 yrs.

Publications:

-Southwestern Pottery Anasazi to Zuni
-Collections of Southwest Pottery
-Storytellers and Other Figurative Pottery
- Pueblo Indian Pottery 750 Artist Biographies

Julie Gutierrez
Santa Clara

Julie Gutierrez was born in 1965 into the Santa Clara Pueblo. She began experimenting with pottery at the age of 12, back in 1977. Julie was inspired by her mother, Victoria Gutierrez who is known for her handmade bowls. She was also inspired by Effie Garcia and Sally M. Gutierrez (sisters). They taught her all the fundamentals of working with natural clays and pigments so that she could continue the long lived tradition of working with clay.

Julie specializes in the contemporary and traditional, handmade Santa Clara pottery that is etched and crafted with authentic turquoise stones. Julie gathers all of her materials from within the Santa Clara Pueblo. She breaks down the clumps of clay to a fine powder form and mixes the clay with volcanic ash and water. She begins by forming snake like coils and begins building her pieces. Once the pottery has taken a vessel shape she sands her pieces for a fine smooth texture. Then, Julie hand etches her flowers and fires her pottery the traditional way, outdoors. Julie’s trademark is the turquoise stones that she adds to the center of each rosette. She hand coils small animals, mushrooms, and and several different shapes of vases and bowls. She signs her pottery as: J.A. Gutierrez, SCP .

Julie is also related to Tony and Terry Gutierrez (uncle & aunt).

Awards:

-None to date

Publications:

- Pueblo Indian Pueblo Pottery 750 Artist Biographies

Paul “White Corn” & Dorothy “Corn Maiden” Gutierrez
Santa Clara-Tewa & Navajo

Paul “White Corn” & Dorothy “Corn Maiden” Gutierrez are full blooded Native American Indians. Paul was born in 1940 into the Santa Clara-Tewa Pueblo. Eventually, he married Dorothy. She was born in 1940 into the Navajo Nation. They were encouraged to learn the art of working with clay from several of their relatives. They were taught all the fundamentals of working with clay and using traditional ancient methods. Paul has been working with clay since the age of 12. Dorothy began experimenting with clay when she was in day school.

They specialize in handmade storytellers, Mudheads, nativity’s, angels, ornaments, and animals. They gather the clay from within the Santa Clara Pueblo. The clay and sand is prepared by drying, grinding, and sifting before it is mixed with water to produce the medium (weight of clay). The sculptures are then hand pinched, air dried, and fired the traditional way, outdoors, with horse manure.They sign their art as: Paul & Dorothy P. Gutierrez, SCP . They are related to: Van & Lela Gutierrez (grandparents), Luther Gutierrez (father), Pauline Naranjo (sister), and Gary Gutierrez (son).

Publications:

-Southwestern Pottery Anasazi to Zuni
-The Pueblo Storyteller
-Nacimientos
-Fourteen Families in Pueblo Pottery
-Collections of Southwestern Pottery
-Southwestern Pottery 1999 Edition
- Pueblo Indian Pottery 750 Artist Biographies

Awards:

-Eighth Northern Pueblo Arts & Crafts Show
-Santa Fe Indian Market 1st Place
-The Heard Museum 1st Place
- New Mexico State Fair
-Deer Dancers Arts Fair
- Gallup Inter-Tribal Indian Ceremonial

Ethel “Turquoise Rock” Gutierrez-Yazza
Santa Clara- Tewa

Ethel “Turquoise Rock” Gutierrez-Yazza is a full blooded Native American Indian. She was born in 1959 into the Santa Clara-Tewa Pueblo. Ethel began working with clay at the age of 5. She was taught all the fundamentals of hand coiling traditional black pottery and using the ancient traditional methods in the process, which were past down from generation to generation. The lucrative aspect of the business also inspired her to become an artisan.

Ethel specializes in stone polished black Santa Clara pottery. She gathers her clumps of clay from within the Santa Clara Pueblo. Then, Ethel soaks the clay to break it down. She mixes the clay with volcanic ash along with other natural elements. She begins the hand coiling methods and hand shapes her pottery. After the pottery is formed she begins carving her pottery with meaningful designs known to her people. Her carvings include serpents, kiva steps, feathers, and water waves which all symbolize important religious beliefs to her people. She signs her pottery as: Ethel Yazza, Santa Clara Pueblo, New Mexico. Effie Garcia, Julie Gutierrez, Sally Gutierrez-Tafoya (sisters), and Eugene Gutierrez (brother) are among a few of her relatives continuing the long lived tradition of hand coiling pottery.

Awards:

-Eighth Northern Arts & Crafts Show 2nd Place

Publications:

-Focus Magazine
-Cowboys & Indians Magazine