Silveira, Lila

Lila Silveira is a potter from the village of Mata Ortiz in northern Mexico. Her parents are José Silveira and Socorro Sandoval, both well-known potters. Among her siblings are Trini, Saul and Yadira Silveira.

Lila and Trini started making pots when they were 13 and 14 years old, respectively. Lila would make the pots and Trini would paint them. Lila always signed when they were done.

In 1995, Lila married Carlos Carillo (from Mata Ortiz). Shortly after, Trini married and left the village, so Lila taught Carlos how to help her make pots. Then they got an opportunity to study with Juan Quezada Sr. and they jumped at it. Now, they both make, paint and sign their own pots. Lila also merged the Quezada and Porvenir styles in her decorations and has since won multiple awards at the annual Concurso Ceramica de Mata Ortiz.

Carlos’ and Lila’s son, Jose Carlos Carrillo Silveira, started making pots for the marketplace when he was only 10 years old.