Yepa, Elston

Born into the Frog Clan in 1976, Elston Yepa is a potter from Jemez Pueblo. His parents are Lawrence and Lupita Yepa. Elston has been doing sgraffito work on pottery since he was in fourth grade. He learned the entire traditional process of making pottery as he was growing up.

Elston is the nephew of Marie Chinana and Lawrence Toya. He’s also related to potters Alvina Yepa and Marcella Yepa.

Elston’s wife Dena (b. 1975, also of the Frog Clan) is from Santo Domingo Pueblo, born into the Reano family of well-known jewelers. Monica Silva Reano, Dena’s great-grandmother, was from Santa Clara and her grandmother, Clara Reano, was of mixed Santa Clara and Santo Domingo heritage.

After she married Elston, Dena moved to his home at Jemez and learned how to work with clay from her in-laws. Elston and Dena also got some pointers from Elston’s grandmother, Martha Toya. Elston and Dena usually work together and sign their pottery ED Yepa, Jemez.

In early 2012, Elston began serving a term as the 2nd Lieutenant Governor of Jemez Pueblo.