Qoyawayma, Al

“If I can see the beauty in my hand, if it touches my inner heart, and I can mold it into harmonious beauty, then I have met the challenge.” – Polingaysi Qöyawayma (Al’s famous aunt)

Hopi potter Al Qöyawayma was born in Los Angeles in February, 1938. He grew up in the San Fernando Valley and attended Van Nuys High School. After graduating, he attended California Polytechnic Institute for a BS in Engineering. Then he went to the University of Southern California to earn his MS in engineering.

For many years he worked in the Defense and Space Industry in the development of inertial guidance systems. He is also a co-founder of the American Indian Science and Engineering Society. Al has also served as Vice-Chairman of the Institute of American Indian Arts and is a Fulbright Fellow to the Maori of New Zealand, working with them to revive their ancient cultural ceramic tradition.

Al spent summers growing up with his aunt, Polingaysi (Elizabeth White) Qöyawayma, on the Hopi Reservation. She taught him much about traditional Hopi ceramics and cultural legends. She also instilled in him the family’s spiritual challenge as members of the Coyote clan: “We do not walk alone, Great Spirit walks beside us. Always know this and be grateful.”

As an artist, Al credits his aunt and Charles Loloma with considerable influence and encouragement. It was they who suggested that they use their backgrounds to step “beyond all Indianisms, to blend tradition with contemporary expression.” That has become part of the philosophy behind Al’s ceramic artwork. Al says “I am privileged to be present during the creative process, watching as unseen hands and the gift of the Creator’s energy flows into my work.”

Some Exhibits that have featured works by Al

  • Beauty Speaks for Us. Heard Museum. Phoenix, Arizona. February 10, 2017 – March 31, 2017
  • Al Qöyawayma. King Galleries. Scottsdale, Arizona. March 1, 2018. Note: artist opening
  • Elegance from Earth: Hopi Pottery. Heard Museum. Phoenix, Arizona. Opened March 24, 2012
  • Gifts from the Community. Heard Museum West. Surprise, Arizona. April 12 – October 12, 2008
  • Crafted to Perfection: The Nancy & Alan Cameros Collection of Southwestern Pottery. Roswell Museum of Western Art. Corning, NY. November 22, 2007
  • Choices and Change: American Indian Artists in the Southwest. Heard Museum North. Scottsdale, AZ. June 30, 2007
  • Sole Stories: American Indian Footwear. Heard Museum. Phoenix, AZ. October 21, 2006
  • Our Stories: American Indian Art and Culture in Arizona. Heard Museum West. Surprise, Arizona. July 26, 2006 – September 2009
  • Home: Native People in the Southwest. Heard Museum. Phoenix, AZ. May 22, 2005
  • The Collecting Passions of Dennis and Janis Lyon. Heard Museum. Phoenix, AZ. May 1, 2004
  • Jewels of the Southwest. Arizona Historical Society Museum. Tempe, Arizona. February 8 – April 28, 2002
  • Hold Everything! Masterworks of Basketry and Pottery from the Heard Museum. Heard Museum. Phoenix, Arizona. November 1, 2001 – March 10, 2002
  • Images, Artists, Styles: Recent Acquisitions from the Heard Museum Collection. Heard Museum North. Scottsdale, Arizona. July 2001 – January 2002
  • Blue Rain Gallery 2000. Blue Rain Gallery. San Francisco, CA. March 2000
  • Fifth Annual Hollywood Premiere. Four Seasons Hotel, Los Angeles, CA. Gallery 10. Scottsdale, AZ. November 23, 1991
  • Images from the Mesas. Gallery 10 Inc. Scottsdale, Arizona. February 28, 1985 – March 19, 1985. Note: second annual Hopi exhibit featuring Mary Jane Batala, Rondina Huma, Von Monongya, Dennis Numkena, Al Qoyawayma, and Ramona Sakiestewa
  • What’s In a Name: Five Superb Hopi Artists. Gallery 10. Scottsdale, Arizona. February 23, 1984
  • 1978 Heard Museum Guild Indian Arts and Crafts Exhibit. Heard Museum. Phoenix, Arizona. November 24 – December 2, 1978
  • 1977 Heard Museum Guild Indian Arts and Crafts Exhibit. Heard Museum. Phoenix, Arizona. November 25 – December 3, 1977
  • 1976 Heard Museum Guild Indian Arts and Crafts Exhibit. Heard Museum. Phoenix, Arizona. November 26 – December 5, 1976

Some of the awards Al has earned

  • 2017 Heard Museum Guild Indian Fair & Market. Classification II Pottery: Best of Classification. Awarded for artwork: 3-Sided Polychrome Vase
  • 2017 Heard Museum Guild Indian Fair & Market. Classification II Pottery, Division E – Any Design or Form with Native Materials, Kiln Fired Pottery: First Place. Awarded for artwork: 3-Sided Polychrome Vase
  • 2017 Heard Museum Guild Indian Fair & Market: Judge’s Award – Jerry Cowdrey. Awarded for artwork: 3-Sided Polychrome Vase
  • 2016 Santa Fe Indian Market, Classification II – Pottery: Best of Classification. Awarded for architectural pot “Half Arch Mesa Verde: Three Kivas with Three Ladders”
  • 2009 Heard Museum Guild Indian Fair & Market, Classification II – Pottery, Division E – Non-Traditional Design or form with native materials: First Place
  • 2005 Heard Museum Guild Indian Fair & Market: Judge’s Choice Award
  • 2004 Santa Fe Indian Market, Classification II – Pottery, Division G – Non-traditional pottery, using traditional materials and techniques, any form or design, Category 1402 – Vases and bowls, Second Place
  • 2004 Santa Fe Indian Market, Classification II – Pottery, Division G – Non-traditional pottery, using traditional materials and techniques, any form or design, Category 1404 – Combined techniques, any shaped vessel: First Place
  • 2004 Santa Fe Indian Market, Classification II – Pottery, Division H – Non-traditional pottery using traditional materials and techniques with non-traditional decorative elements, Category 1503 – Combined techniques, any shaped vessel: First Place
  • 2002 Santa Fe Indian Market, Classification II – Pottery, Division G – Non-traditional pottery, using traditional materials and techniques, any form or design, Best of Division
  • 2002 Santa Fe Indian Market, Classification II – Pottery, Division G – Non-traditional pottery, using traditional materials and techniques, any form or design, Category 1401 – Jars, wedding jars, vases and bowls, Third Place
  • 2002 Santa Fe Indian Market, Classification II – Pottery, Division G – Non-traditional pottery, using traditional materials and techniques, any form or design, Category 1403 – Combined techniques, any shaped vessel (must include at least two techniques): First Place
  • 2002 Santa Fe Indian Market, Classification II – Pottery, Division G – Non-traditional pottery, using traditional materials and techniques, any form or design, Category 1406 – Items with figures or designs in relief: Second Place
  • 1998 Heard Museum Guild Indian Fair & Market: Judge’s Choice Award
  • 1998 Heard Museum Guild Indian Fair & Market, Classification VI – Pottery: Best of Classification
  • 1998 Heard Museum Guild Indian Fair & Market, Classification VI – Pottery, Division B – Traditional/native clay/hand built (unpainted): Best of Division
  • 1978 Heard Museum Guild Indian Arts and Crafts Exhibit, Classification VII – Pottery, Division B – Contemporary: Third Place. Awarded for artwork: Vase
  • 1978 Heard Museum Guild Indian Arts and Crafts Exhibit, Classification VII – Pottery, Division B – Contemporary: Honorable Mention. Awarded for artwork: Storage Jar
  • 1977 Heard Museum Guild Indian Arts and Crafts Exhibit, Classification VII – Pottery, Division D – Kiln Fired: First Place. Awarded for artwork: Slipper bowl with three corn
  • 1976 Heard Museum Guild Indian Arts and Crafts Exhibit, Classification X – Pottery, Division B – Contemporary: First Place. Awarded for artwork: Corn jar
  • 1976 Heard Museum Guild Indian Arts and Crafts Exhibit, Classification X – Pottery, Division B – Contemporary: Second Place. Awarded for artwork: Kokopelli vase
  • 1976 Hopi Marketplace, Pottery Division: First Place, Special Award. Museum of Northern Arizona
  • 1976 Annual Scottsdale National Indian Arts Exhibition, Section C – Crafts, Classification VIII – Pottery, Division B – Adaptations: First Place
  • 1976 Annual Scottsdale National Indian Arts Exhibition: Popovi Da Memorial Award
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