Gachupin, Laura
“I am so grateful for my life and family and my gift of talent to be a potter. Thankful to have my mom and grandma. I also like to dance with my grandson, Luciano.”
Laura Gachupin was born into Jemez Pueblo in November, 1954. As she was growing up, her grandmother, Persingula Gachupin, taught her how to prepare clay. Then her mother, Marie Gachupin Romero, taught her how to make pottery.
Laura also took some pottery classes from Ralph Partington at the Institute of American Indian Arts in Santa Fe. In 1974 she dedicated herself to being a full-time traditional Jemez potter. She tells us it was her sister, Maxine Toya, who inspired her to make the figures she is now most known for.
Over the last 40 years Laura has participated in shows and exhibits from coast to coast, but she does try to get to the Heard Museum Guild Indian Art Fair and the Santa Fe Indian Market every year. She’s earned a lot of awards for her work, including two Best of Division ribbons at the prestigious Santa Fe Indian Market.
Laura tells us her favorite shapes to make are owls, turtle bowls, melons and figures. She says her ideas just come to her but she also gets inspiration from other artists. There are many designs she still wants to make, especially since she’s gotten really interested in birds and bird books.
Some Awards earned by Laura
- 2020 Heard Museum Guild Indian Fair & Market, Classification II – Pottery, Division E – Any design or form with native materials, kiln-fired pottery: Second Place. Awarded for the artwork: “Morning Prayer”
- 2013 Heard Museum Guild Indian Fair & Market, Classification II – Pottery, Division D – Traditional, Native Clay, Hand Built, Figurative: Second Place
- 2013 Heard Museum Guild Indian Fair & Market: Judge’s Choice Award – Kevin Coochwytewa. Awarded for artwork: “Great Grandpa and Great Grandma Pot”
- 2012 Heard Museum Guild Indian Fair & Market, Classification II – Pottery, Division D – Traditional, Native Clay, Figurative: Second Place.