Setalla, Gwen

Gwen Setalla was born to Justin and Pauline Setalla in November 1964. Justin was from Polacca, Pauline from Mishongnovi (on Hopi Second Mesa). Justin was raised on a ranch in Snowbird Canyon, near Keams Canyon. That’s where they lived after the wedding and that’s where their 10 children were born and raised, Gwen being the ninth.

Gwen started learning to work with clay when she was about 5. Her mother continually encouraged her but Gwen was also a student in those years. She graduated from Keams Canyon Boarding School (Kindergarten – eighth grade) as the class Valedictorian. Then she went to the Sherman Indian High School in Riverside Canyon and again graduated as the class Valedictorian. Then she attended the Southwestern Indian Polytechnic Institute in Albuquerque, NM, and earned a certification in data processing.

Gwen has made pottery since those early years, her work getting more and more refined with every piece. In early 1993 she started adding light carving, engraving and protruding to her design palette. Gwen’s favorite designs are the Eagle, water symbols (snow flurries, rain drops, clouds, waves), corn symbols and the Kokopelli. Gwen signs all her pieces with “Aäaut;s-Kũ-Mana Gwen Setalla Hopi” and a “bear-paw with spiral” hallmark.

In 2013 Gwen earned a First Place award at the Heard Museum Guild Indian Art Fair & Market for a traditionally made and decorated piece.