Tafoya, Madeline

Madeline Tafoya (1912-2002) was active as a potter at Santa Clara Pueblo from about 1935 to about 1999. She primarily made red, black-on-black and carved black jars, bowls and wedding vases. She was Margaret Tafoya‘s cousin and she learned how to make pottery from her aunt, Sarafina Tafoya, and her grandmother.

In 1978 Madeline earned a Third Place award for a carved black wedding vase and another Third Place award for a black-on-black jar at Santa Fe Indian Market. In 1981 she earned another Third Place award for a black jar at Santa Fe. In 1988 one of her carved black wedding vases earned a First Place award at Santa Fe. In 1991 she earned a Second Place award for a carved miscellaneous piece, also at Santa Fe. Madeline was also given the prestigious Governor’s Award at Santa Fe.