Yazzie, Angie

Angie Yazzie was born into Taos Pueblo in 1965. Her parents were Mary A. Archuleta of Taos Pueblo and Nick Yazzie of the Dineh Nation. In keeping with Pueblo tradition Angie was raised at Taos Pueblo.

Angie tells us she began making pottery when she was nine years old. She was introduced to the basics by her mother and her maternal grandmother, Isabel Archuleta.

Angie said she lived with her maternal grandparents for several years as a child. Through them and their shop at the pueblo, she was exposed to the whole range of Pueblo arts and crafts. Clay Mother, though, is who Angie has heard calling her all her life.

After learning the barest basics, Angie struck out on her own and learned to make large golden and black micaceous ollas, like the ollas Taos was famous for making a hundred and more years ago.

Micaceous clay has tiny flecks of mica spread throughout the clay. That mica makes it possible for a micaceous pot to hold liquids for cooking or storing. There are two seams of micaceous clay on the lands of Taos Pueblo and they have been mined for pottery-making material for centuries.

Angie has told us her favorite shape to make is a large, fluted water jar, slipped with micaceous clay. It is exactly that type of jar that has earned her Best of Division and First Place ribbons at the Heard Museum Guild Indian Art Fair & Market, and Best of Division, First, Second and Third Place ribbons at the Santa Fe Indian Market. She’s also earned First Place ribbons at the Eight Northern Indian Pueblos Arts & Crafts Show.

Angie says she still gets her inspiration from her fond memories of her maternal grandmother. At the same time, she loves to look at other artists creations and talk to them about how they made it. Angie recently had a piece placed on display at the Winona State College Museum in Winona, Minnesota.

Some of the Awards Angie has earned

• 2020 Heard Museum Guild Indian Fair & Market: Judge’s Award – Upton Ethelbah Greyshoes, Jr. Awarded for artwork: “Give Me Water”
• 2018 Santa Fe Indian Market: Classification II – Pottery, Division A – Traditional Unpainted Pottery, Category 502 – Micaceous Ware in the style of Taos, Nambe, Picuris, any form: First Place
• 2018 Heard Museum Guild Indian Fair & Market, Classification II – Pottery, Division B – Unpainted, including ribbed, native clay, hand built, fired out-of-doors: First Place. Awarded for artwork: Black Fluted Vase
• 2018 Heard Museum Guild Indian Fair & Market, Classification II – Pottery, Division G – Pottery miniatures not to exceed three (3) inches at its greatest dimension: Honorable Mention. Awarded for artwork: Rectangle Prayer Plate
• 2017 Santa Fe Indian Market: Classification II – Pottery: Best of Classification
• 2017 Santa Fe Indian Market: Classification II – Pottery, Division A – Traditional Unpainted Pottery: Best of Division
• 2017 Santa Fe Indian Market: Classification II – Pottery, Division A – Traditional Unpainted Pottery, Category 502 – Micaceous Ware in the style of Taos, Nambe, Picuris, any form: First Place