Aguilar, Celes and Evelyn

From Santa Clara Pueblo, Celes Tafoya was the daughter of Legoria Velarde and Pasqual Tafoya. Pablita Velarde and Jane Baca were among her aunts. Evelyn Aguilar was her daughter.

Celes collaborated with her mother Legoria for many years. They signed their works “Legoria + Celes”. After Legoria died, she collaborated with her daughter Evelyn for many more years. They signed their works “Celes/Evelyn”.

Celes and Evelyn often made blackware bowls, wedding vases, plates and jars. Their favorite designs to carve seem to have been the avanyu (the mythic Tewa water serpent) and associated geometrics.

Some Awards earned by Celes and Evelyn

• 2001 Santa Fe Indian Market. Class. II – Pottery, Div. C – Traditional pottery, carved or incised, Cat. 1002 – Bowls, Second Place, Evelyn Aguilar with Celes Tafoya
• 1996 Santa Fe Indian Market. Classification II – Pottery, Div. C – Traditional, Category 1006 – Wedding vases: Third Place, Evelyn Aguilar with Celes Tafoya
  – Division B – Traditional pottery, Category 905, bowl: Third Place, Evelyn Aguilar with Celes Tafoya
• 1993 Santa Fe Indian Market. Category 1104 – Bowls: First Place, Evelyn Aguilar alone
  – Category 1105-Wedding Vases: Second Place, Evelyn Aguilar alone
• 1992 Santa Fe Indian Market. Category 1105-Wedding Vases: First Place, Evelyn Aguilar alone