Juanico, Delores Aragon

Delores Aragon Juanico was born to Marie S. Juanico of Acoma Pueblo in 1969. Marie had learned how to make pottery from her mother, Delores S. Sanchez, and Marie taught Delores. Delores started at the age of five, making clay animal figures. After she married Marvis Aragon Jr., her mother-in-law, Wanda Aragon, reinforced (and added to) her knowledge of traditional Acoma techniques and designs.

Today Delores is known as one of the best potters at Acoma. She has earned multiple blue ribbons at Santa Fe Indian Market over the years.

Among Delores’ cousins are Rebecca Lucario, Carolyn Concho, Diane Lewis, Judy Lewis, Marilyn Ray and Charmae Natseway.

Delores has taken the idea of reviving old styles and designs to heart and is known for her miniature re-creations of 19th century pieces. On the bottoms of her pots she often adds the approximate date of the pattern she has painted on the piece.

Some Awards Delores has Earned

• 2023 Santa Fe Indian Market, Special Traditional Pottery Award
• 2023 Santa Fe Indian Market, Classification IIB, Category 602 – Painted polychrome pottery in the style of Zuni, Acoma, Laguna, Any form, Second Place
• 2023 Santa Fe Indian Market, Best of Division F (Miniature pieces, less than 3 inches in any dimension)
• 2023 Santa Fe Indian Market, Division F, Category 1001 – Traditional miniatures, First Place and Honorable Mention
• 2020 Heard Museum Guild Indian Fair & Market: Classification II – Pottery: Honorable Mention for Classification II. Awarded for artwork: Pre-20th Century Acoma Waterjar-1880s
• 2019 Santa Fe Indian Market, Classification II – Pottery, Division B – Traditional Painted Pottery: Best of Division
• 2019 Santa Fe Indian Market, Classification II – Pottery, Division B – Traditional Painted Pottery. Category 602 – Painted polychrome pottery in the style of Zuni, Acoma, Laguna, any form: First Place
• 2019 Santa Fe Indian Market, Classification II – Pottery, Division F – Miniature pots, individual pieces under 3″ in any direction, Category 1001 – Traditional: Second Place
• 2018 Santa Fe Indian Market, Classification II – Pottery, Division B – Traditional Painted Pottery. Category 602 – Painted polychrome pottery in the style of Zuni, Acoma, Laguna, any form: Second Place
• 2018 Santa Fe Indian Market, Classification II – Pottery, Division B – Traditional Painted Pottery. Category 602 – Painted polychrome pottery in the style of Zuni, Acoma, Laguna, any form: Honorable Mention
• 2017 Santa Fe Indian Market, Classification II – Pottery, Division B – Traditional, Category 602 – Painted polychrome pottery in the style of Zuni, Acoma, Laguna, any form: Second Place
• 2017 Santa Fe Indian Market, Classification II – Pottery, Division F – Miniature pots, individual pieces under 3″ in any dimension, Category 1001 – Traditional: Honorable Mention
• 2017 Heard Museum Guild Indian Fair & Market: Judge’s Award – Kenneth Williams, Jr. Awarded for artwork in Pottery for a Large Water Jar
• 2004 Santa Fe Indian Market, Classification II – Pottery, Division E – Traditional pottery, jars, including wedding jars, Category 1202 – Jars, Acoma: Second and Third Place
• 2001 Santa Fe Indian Market, Classification II – Pottery, Division E – Traditional pottery: jars, painted designs on matte or semi-matte surfaces, Category 1202 – Jars, Acoma: Second Place
• 2000 Santa Fe Indian Market, Classification II – Pottery, Division E – Traditional pottery, jars with painted designs on matte or semi-matte surfaces (on the style of Hopi & other related styles), Category 1204 – Jars, Acoma (over 7″ tall): First Place
• 2000 Santa Fe Indian Market, Classification II – Pottery, Division E – Traditional pottery, jars with painted designs on matte or semi-matte surfaces (on the style of Hopi & other related styles), Category 1203 – Jars, Acoma (up to 7″ tall): Second Place
• 1999 Santa Fe Indian Market, Classification II – Pottery, Division E – Traditional pottery – jars, Category 1203 – jars, Acoma (up to 7″): Second Place
• 1999 Santa Fe Indian Market, Classification II – Pottery, Division J – Pottery miniature, Category 1602 – traditional forms: First Place
• 1998 Santa Fe Indian Market, Classification II – Pottery – Division F – Traditional pottery, Category 1303 – Other bowl forms: Second Place
• 1997 Santa Fe Indian Market, Classification II – Pottery, Division F – Traditional pottery, Category 1301 – Seed bowls: Third Place
• 1997 Santa Fe Indian Market, Classification II – Pottery, Division J – Pottery miniatures, Category 1602 – Traditional forms: First Place
• 1996 Santa Fe Indian Market, Classification II – Pottery, Division J – Pottery miniatures, Category 1602 – Traditional forms: First Place
• 1996 Santa Fe Indian Market, Classification II – Pottery, Division J – Pottery miniatures, Category 1605 – Traditional forms: Third Place
• 14th Annual Phoenix Indian Center Bolo Tie Dinner and Awards Banquet. Collectors Choice Artist. Phoenix, Arizona. April 4, 1997