Tapia, Mae

Mae Tapia was born to Joe and Santanita Suazo of Santa Clara Pueblo in 1952. She learned the traditional art of pottery making from her mother while growing up. She’s been making pottery since she was 19 years old.

Other potters in her family include sisters Candelaria Suazo, Margie Naranjo and Shirley Duran, her mother-in-law Belen Tapia, and her two children, Ira Tapia and April Tapia.

Mae has participated in the Eight Northern Pueblos Arts and Crafts Show and the Santa Fe Indian Market and she has earned First Place ribbons from both. Her favorite shape to make is the miniature black seed pot and her favorite designs are based on prehistoric patterns and designs from the Mogollon-Mimbres people.

She told us she gets her inspiration from her mother, her mother-in-law and from Martha Haungooah (Martha was killed by a lightning strike at the Puyé ruins on Santa Clara Pueblo in 1981). Mae also says she has no plans when she puts her hands in the clay, she just lets the clay decide what she’s going to make and it guides her every step of the way.