Roller, Cliff

The son of Ted and Toni Roller, Cliff Roller was born into Santa Clara Pueblo in 1961. He says he grew up watching his mother and grandmother, Margaret Tafoya, making pots together. He remembers days spent playing Little League baseball, then nights spent making small clay figures and canoes. Selling those pieces himself earned him summer spending money.

Cliff finished high school, then served in the military. When he came back home he was thinking of becoming a police officer but he heard the clay calling. Clay had been something he enjoyed working with as a child so he decided to make a career of it.

Cliff was exhibiting his elegant carved blackware bowls and vases at the Santa Fe Indian Market before he was 30. He earned 17 major ribbons there in a space of 11 years.