Traditional Acoma pottery
is made using a slate-like clay found within the hills
surrounding the Pueblo. When fired using traditional methods,
this clay allows the potters to form very thin walls, a common
and sought after characteristic of Acoma pottery. Although hand
coiled pottery is preferred for its collectability, there are
many fine Acoma artists who prefer to use pour molded or
greenware pots as their canvas. While pour molded pots do not
retain the same value as a traditionally hand coiled piece,
their low price point makes them great for decorating or for
gifts. We carry a wide range of Authentic Acoma pottery from
artists like Dorothy Torivio, Sandra Victorino, Frederica
Antonio, Rachel Aragon, Theresa Garcia-Salvador, Wilfred Garcia,
Leland Robert Vallo, Kim Vallo, Paula Estevan, Robert Patricio,
Franklin Peters and more. For more info on the Acoma Pueblo,
click here.
Melissa
Antonio, member of the Red Corn Clan and the Sun Clan, was born into the
Acoma Pueblo in 1965. She was raised in the traditional way and was
taught to respect the Mother Earth, all its creatures, and the clay that
it provides. She sparked an interest in becoming an artisan by observing
her mother, Lillie Concho, at the age of 12. Lillie taught Melissa the
process of gathering clay, preparing the clay, and making natural colors
from other natural pigments which were gathered from within the Acoma
Pueblo. By the time Melissa reached the age of 23, her skills had
improved and her art reflected her experience as a fine artisan.
Melissa specializes in
traditional black on white eye dazzler patterns. This piece is pour
molded. She signs her pottery as: M.C. Antonio, Acoma.
Brenda is a talented
Acoma artist who specializes in intricate animal motifs
with fine line and geometric accents.
With over 30 years of experience, her work is always
very clean and sharp. While she most often hand coils
her pots, she occasionally works with ceramics as well.
This incredible piece is
pour molded and painted with birds, insects and lizards
inside and outside the rim with an eye dazzling
checkerboard pattern. Every inch of the pot's surface is
covered with an intricate design. Signed BL Cerno.
Sandra Victorino is a full blooded Native American
Indian born into the Pueblo of the Acoma in 1958. She was inspired to
learn the art of hand coiling pottery from admiring her famous Aunt,
Dorothy Torivio, who is one of Acoma ’s finest potter’s still alive
today. Sandra strongly believes that traditional ways must be kept alive
to continue the long lived legacy of her people.
Sandra gathers the clay from within the sacred grounds
in Acoma . She sifts her own clay, hand coils all of her own pottery, paints
with a yucca plant, and fires outdoors. Sandra specializes in hand coiled
pottery with spiral designs like the step to step, checker board,
snowflake, half snowflake, and fine line designs. She will also paint
Kokopellis on her pottery from time to time. Sandra signs her pottery as:
Sandra Victorino, Acoma , NM.
This incredible
piece features beautiful eye dazzler designs with
Sandra's parrots around the rim. It is signed Sandra Victorino, Acoma, NM.
Leland Robert Vallo “Pinion Mesa”, is a full
blooded Native American Indian, who was born in 1969
into the Acoma Pueblo. He was inspired by many
famous artists, like Dorothy Torivio, to continue
the long lived tradition of hand coiling pottery
using ancient methods. He began making pottery in
1991.
Leland specializes in hand coiled Tularosa
Swirl pattern pottery. He gathers his clay from
the grounds within the Acoma Pueblo along with other
natural pigments. He cleans his clay, mixes, hand
coils, shapes, paints, and fires his pottery
outdoors. He hand coils many different shapes and
sizes of pottery including seed pots, wedding vases and
bowls. He also paints animals, mimbres designs, and
incorporates Kiva step patterns into his designs. He
also paints on ceramic ware from time to time.
Leland states that he is still amazed at the quality
of the artwork that Native Americans produce today.
However, his biggest inspiration thrives from
memories that he has from his mother and best friend, the late Marie Vallo. He signs his pottery as: L. Vallo, Acoma ,
N.M.
Theresa
Garcia-Salvador was born in 1964 and is a member of the
Red Corn Clan from the Acoma Pueblo. This highly
talented artist uses traditional hand coiling techniques
and paints with all natural pigments provided by the
earth. She was taught at the age of 23 by her sister,
Vivian Seymour. She specializes in water vessels and
flat seed pots.
This
lovely piece features hand painted diamond patterns. It
is signed T. Sal.
Theresa
Garcia-Salvador was born in 1964 and is a member of the
Red Corn Clan from the Acoma Pueblo. This highly
talented artist uses traditional hand coiling techniques
and paints with all natural pigments provided by the
earth. She was taught at the age of 23 by her sister,
Vivian Seymour. She specializes in water vessels and
flat seed pots.
This
lovely piece features hand painted diamond patterns. It
is signed T. Sal.
