Naranjo, Geri

The daughter of Ursulita Naranjo and Alfred Naranjo, Geraldine “Geri” Naranjo was born into Santa Clara Pueblo in 1952. While she was exposed to family members making pottery through all the years she was growing up, Geri didn’t really start to produce anything until she was in her early 20s.

Geri’s entire career has revolved around the making of miniatures (almost always black, sometimes with sienna spots) with exquisite sgraffito designs. Her favorite designs appear to be the avanyu (the mythic Tewa water serpent) and feathers.

Geri also passed her skills and knowledge on to her children, Kevin Naranjo and Monica Naranjo. Both have become award-earning potters. Dolores Curran is Geri’s sister. Geri usually signs her pieces: Geri Naranjo.

Some Awards Geri has earned

• 1992 Santa Fe Indian Market. Class II, Pottery, miniature. Best of Division, First Place and Third Place for black miniatures with sgraffito design
  – First Place and Second Place, sgraffito design, all other categories
  – Second Place, sgraffito design without stones, black or black two-tone miniatures
• 1991 Santa Fe Indian Market. Class II, Pottery. Sgraffito design on burnished black miniature. First Place
• 1990 Santa Fe Indian Market. Class II. Pottery, sgraffito design with inlaid stones. Second Place
• 1989 Santa Fe Indian Market. Class II. Pottery, Black miniature with sgraffito design. First Place
  – Sgraffito design, all other categories, Second Place
  – Sgraffito design on burnished black miniature, Third Place
• 1988 Santa Fe Indian Market. Class II. Pottery, Black miniature with sgraffito design. First Place
• 1986 Santa Indian Market. Class II. Pottery, Black miniature with sgraffito design. Second Place
• 1984 Santa Fe Indian Market. Class II. Pottery, Black miniature with sgraffito design. Second Place
• 1980 Santa Fe Indian Market. House of Miniatures Award for Best Miniature
  – Class II. Pottery. Black miniature. Third Place