Lewis, Diane

Born in 1959 into the Acoma Pueblo Yellow Corn Clan, Diane Lewis-Garcia was given the Keres name Tsi-Ku-rai-tsa, meaning “Morning Dew.” She has been an active potter since the mid-1980s after learning how from her mother, Katherine Lewis.

Katherine was the matriarch of one of the two non-related Lewis families at Acoma Pueblo – the Lucy Lewis family has been more well known. However, the children of Katherine Lewis (Marilyn Ray, Rebecca Lucario, Carolyn Concho, Diane Lewis and Judy Lewis) are making some of the most innovative traditional and contemporary pottery being produced at Acoma.

Each member of the family has carved out their own particular niche and Diane usually makes traditional polychrome jars, bowls, seed pots, pitchers and miniatures. She likes to decorate them using Mimbres-Revival designs (from the Mimbres Culture in south-central New Mexico: 800 – 1150 CE).

Diane’s work is known for the detail and the beautiful home-made organic and mineral colors. Her favorite design subjects are animals, lizards, insects, fish, kokopelli (the hump-backed flute player), rain, lightning bolts, kiva steps and clouds.

Diane has earned numerous awards for her pieces at the Santa Fe Indian Market and the Heard Museum Indian Art Fair & Market in Phoenix. She signs her work: “D. Lewis-Garcia, Acoma”, and adds a fish hallmark.