Antonio, Frederica

Born into Acoma Pueblo in September 1968, Frederica Antonio is the daughter of Earl and Florina Vallo. It was her mother-in-law, Mildred Antonio, who taught her how to make pottery.

Frederica has been producing pottery since about 1986 and has become famous for her intricately painted geometric designs. She draws vertical lines first, then horizontal lines, then diagonal lines. After that she fills in the patterns. She often sprinkles kokopelli designs around her pieces, too. In the end, she has created what may be called “an eyedazzler.”

Frederica has won Honorable Mention ribbons at the New Mexico State Fair and the Gallup InterTribal Ceremonials. The online records of the Heard Museum lists 3 awards she won at the Santa Fe Indian Market in 2017, 2018 and 2019, all for pottery made with commercial clays and/or glazes. Around 2020 she began working more with traditionally made pots and decorated them with designs using guaco (an ink made by boiling down copious amounts of rocky mountain beeweed into a thick, black paste) and natural clay colors.

Frederica’s husband, Randy, is also an award-winning potter.

Some Awards Recently Won by Frederica

• 2023 Santa Fe Indian Market, Pottery Class IIE: Category 907 – Painted, any form, First Place