Medina, Lois

Lois Medina (1959-2003) was the daughter of Sofia Medina and granddaughter of Rosalea Medina Toribio. Among Lois’ siblings were Marcellus Medina, Rachel Medina Raton, Samuel Medina, Fred Medina, Herman Medina and Edna Medina Galiford. Lois learned how to make pottery through watching and working with her mother and grandmother as she grew up. She and her mother sometimes collaborated on pieces when she was older.

When Lois decided she was going to learn to make pottery, she said her grandmother sat her down and shared the basic Zia Pueblo traditions about pottery with her: “how it was created – the true meaning behind it.” Later on, Grandmother Pino gave her a wrapped bundle containing her “tools, gourds, brushes, black stone (for painting).” Lois said she stored the bundle away, the gifts inside being too precious to use.

Lois made mostly traditional jars and bowls. Sometimes she made bear figures and lids with bear figures on them. Her favorite designs included bears, roadrunners, feathers-in-a-row, rain and terraced clouds. She was noted for very distinctive designs.