Medina, Marcellus

“As a Native American, my participation and sacrifice have heartened me to enjoy my experiences with my ceremonials, rituals, celebration of dance, and song and prayer.”

Marcellus Medina was born to Rafael and Sofia Medina at Zia Pueblo in 1954. He began painting traditional and contemporary images with watercolor and acrylics at the age of 10. His family has a long tradition of producing pottery and paintings and Marcellus is devoted to the continuation of that.

His pieces have been featured in art shows at the Heard Museum Guild Indian Art Fair in Phoenix, the Santa Fe Indian Market, the New Mexico State Fair, the Mesa Verde Indian Art Show and the Indigenous Fine Art Market in Santa Fe.

Some of his artwork is on display at the Cowboy Hall of Fame in Oklahoma, the Museum of Fine Art in Boston, at Albuquerque International Airport and in many private collections. While he has earned many awards and acknowledgements for his accomplishments, he is most proud of his magnificent murals at the Poeh Cultural Center and Museum in Pojoaque, NM, the UNM Sandoval Regional Medical Center and the Mesa Verde National Park Visitor and Research Center.

Marcellus has also had the honor of creating and producing the Gildan NM Bowl Football Championship Trophy Pottery for the University of New Mexico. He continues to add to his success by passing his knowledge and spiritual teachings on to others through the medium of his art.

Marcellus is married to Elizabeth (Toya) Medina, originally of Jemez Pueblo. Most of Marcellus awards for pottery have been shared with her.

Marcellus Medina’s statement to us:
“The idea and concept of my work comes from my culture, religious belief and spirituality. These three elements are the central core of harmony – the balance of inner peace. Each of my pieces tells a positive story and depicts the reality of our being in this world. I express my feelings and visions through my art pieces which reflect the colors of the rainbow because, like the rainbow, my art changes its color prism randomly as with life and everything around it. The subject matter of human anatomy is complex and I enjoy the challenge of trying to capture the strength, costume, facial expression and beauty of the human form. The landscapes and horizons depicted are from the many places within New Mexico, the Land of Enchantment, that I have visited in my lifetime. I have embraced all the beautiful scenery of New Mexico and my artwork shows the style and grace that transpires from the feelings and visual effects that have a breathtaking blessing from the sky, land and oceans. My inspirations come from real life images, stories and imagination. As a Native American, my participation and sacrifice have heartened me to enjoy my experiences with my ceremonials, rituals, celebration of dance, and song and prayer.”

Some Awards earned by Marcellus

• 2019 Santa Fe Indian Market: Pueblo Pottery Excellence Award shared with Elizabeth Medina. For creative excellence in the use of traditional materials and Native techniques and designs in Pueblo pottery
• 2019 Santa Fe Indian Market, Classification II – Pottery, Division B – Traditional Painted Pottery, Category 604 – Painted polychrome pottery in the style of Jemez, Zia, Santa Ana, Sandia, San Felipe, Isleta, any form: First Place shared with Elizabeth Medina
• 2017 Santa Fe Indian Market: Classification II – Pottery, Division B – Traditional, Category 604 – Painted polychrome pottery in the style of Jemez, Zia, Santa Ana, Sandia, San Felipe, Isleta, any form: First Place
• 2000 Santa Fe Indian Market, Classification III – Paintings, drawings & graphics, Division B – Paintings, realistic style (three dimensional), Category 1906 – Opaque water-based paint: Third Place
• 1999 Santa Fe Indian Market, Classification II – Pottery, Division E – Traditional pottery, jars with painted designs on matte or semi-matte surface: Best of Division with Elizabeth Medina
• 1999 Santa Fe Indian Market, Classification II – Pottery, Division E – Traditional pottery, jars with painted designs on matte or semi-matte surface, Category 1206 – Jars, Zia, Santa Ana, Santo Domingo or Cochiti: First Place with Elizabeth Medina
• 1998 Santa Fe Indian Market, Classification II – Pottery, Division E – Traditional pottery, jars, painted designs on matte or semi-matte surface, Category 1206 – Jars, Zia, Santa Ana, Santo Domingo or Cochiti: Honorable Mention with Elizabeth Medina
• 1993 Santa Fe Indian Market, Classification III – Paintings, drawings, and graphics, Division A – Paintings, traditional Native American style (2-dimensional), Category 1801 – All pueblos: Third Place
• 1992 Santa Fe Indian Market, Classification III – Paintings, drawings, and graphics, Division A – Paintings, traditional Native American style (2-dimensional), Category 1801 – All pueblos: Second Place
• 1983 Santa Fe Indian Market, Classification III – Painting and Prints, Division A – Painting: Third Place