Yepa, Alvina

Alvina Yepa ia a potter from Jemez Pueblo. She was born into the Sun Clan in August 1954. Her paternal grandparents were Cristino and Juanita Fragua Yepa, her maternal grandparents Frank and Louisa Fragua Toledo. Her parents were Nick and Felipita Yepa.

Alvina grew up making pottery, watching and working with her mother. She started painting and polishing pottery for her mother when she was eight years old. The only time in her life since when she wasn’t making pottery (as much) was when she lived in Richfield, UT, working as a bank teller. She said she enjoyed working at the bank and was thankful for the experience but after six years, she got homesick for family and culture.

Alvina entered her first piece at the Santa Fe Indian Market in 1986. In 1987 she earned a First Place ribbon and a Best of Division ribbon. That was the beginning of a long string of ribbons earned at Santa Fe. Alvina has also participated in the Heard Museum Guild Indian Art Fair & Market, the Eight Northern Pueblos Arts & Crafts Show, the Prescott Indian Art Market, the University of San Diego American Indian Celebration, the Atlanta Spirit of America Show and others. In 2008 she had a special exhibit As Mother Earth Spins, She Speaks: Pueblo Pottery by Alvina Yepa at the Booth Western Art Museum.

In 1997 Alvina was invited to participate in the 14th Annual Phoenix Indian Center Bolo Tie Dinner and Awards Banquet as a “Collector’s Choice Artist.” Some of her work is also in the object collection of the Heard Museum.

Alvina is known for making intricately etched, larger-scale jars that often incorporate a melon-style swirl. She works mostly with Jemez red clay and carves contemporary designs into it.

Some of the Awards Alvina has earned

• 2023 Santa Fe Indian Market, Classification II-E, Contemporary using traditional materials and techniques, Best of Division
• 2023 Santa Fe Indian Market, Classification II-E, Category 906 – Sgraffito and carved, any form, First and Second Place
• 2022 Heard Museum Guild Indian Fair & Market, Classification II – Pottery: Best of Class. Awarded for artwork: “Hummingbird Water Jar”
• 2022 Heard Museum Guild Indian Fair & Market, Classification II – Pottery, Division C – Carved, incised, sgraffito, native clay, hand built, fired out-of-doors: First Place. Awarded for artwork: “Hummingbird Water Jar”
• 2018 Santa Fe Indian Market, Classification II – Pottery, Division D, Contemporary Pottery, Any Form or Design, Using Native Materials with or without Added Decorative Elements, Traditional Firing Techniques, Category 801 – Sgraffitto, Any Form: Second Place
• 2018 Santa Fe Indian Market, Classification II – Pottery, Division D, Contemporary Pottery, Any Form or Design, Using Native Materials with or without Added Decorative Elements, Traditional Firing Techniques, Category 801 – Sgraffitto, Any Form: Honorable Mention
• 2017 Santa Fe Indian Market: Classification II – Pottery, Division C – Traditional Burnished Black or Red Ware, Incised, Painted or Carved, Category 702 – Carved or incised, black or red, over 8″: Second Place
• 2003 Heard Museum Guild Indian Fair & Market, Classification VIII – Pottery, Division A – Traditional/Native clay/hand-built (painted): Honorable Mention
• 1996 Heard Museum Guild Indian Fair & Market, Classification VII – Pottery, Division A – Traditional construction and firing methods: Best of Division. Awarded for artwork: Red Melon Bowl