Ortiz, Inez

“Making pottery is my hobby. It is very calming, without stress.”

Juanita Inez Ortiz was born into Cochiti Pueblo in August 1960 and passed on in 2008. Her mother was Seferina Ortiz, her grandmother was Laurencita Herrera. Among her siblings were Joyce Lewis, Mary Janice Ortiz, Virgil Ortiz, Leon Ortiz and Angie Ortiz. All of Seferina’s children watched and worked with their mother and grandmother as they were making pottery but not all of them were good at it. Inez was very good.

Inez was producing pottery for the market when she was in her early 20s. She made the usual polychrome jars and bowls but where her artistry really stood out was with her figures and her storytellers. She also liked to make owls, bears, turtles and clay drums.

Inez was a participant at the Santa Fe Indian Market for several years, earning Best of Division, First and Second Place ribbons in 1999 and all three again in 2000.

Lisa Holt, Krystal Henderson and Katherine Ortiz are Inez’ daughters.