Gutierrez, Helen

Helen Gutierrez (1935-1993) was the daughter of Isabel Atencio. The famous San Ildefonso Pueblo painter Gilbert Atencio was Helen’s brother. While the rest of the family were artists and potters, too, Helen said she learned most about pottery from her mother and she learned most about painting from Gilbert.

Helen married Frank Gutierrez of Santa Clara Pueblo and they had four children. All of them learned to make pottery as they grew up. When they were older, Helen would go to shows with her daughters Geraldine and Kathy. Sometimes Geraldine would paint pots for Helen.

Helen was a participant at Santa Fe Indian Market for ten years, ending in 1993. In those 10 years she earned 15 ribbons, including a Best of Division ribbon and a Best of Traditional Pottery ribbon.