Pino, Dolorita

“[Making pottery] keeps me self-employed at home, and it gives me a break from housework. Those things are important since Social Security hasn’t made me rich yet.”

Born into Zia Pueblo in October, 1928, Dolorita Galvan Pino learned how to make pottery by watching and working with her mother, Ascencion Herrera Galvan, and her grandmother, Reyes Arsala Herrera, beginning when she was about 13.

Dolorita mostly made traditional polychrome jars and bowls. She made pottery for more than 60 years. She passed her knowledge on to her children and grandchildren.

Asked why she enjoyed making pottery so much she responded “It keeps me self-employed at home, and it gives me a break from housework. Those things are important since Social Security hasn’t made me rich yet.” She was also a noted weaver.

Dolorita passed on in 2005.