Rickey, Marcia

Marcia Rickey (1918-1991) was a Hopi potter from the village of Walpi on First Mesa. She was active from about 1950 until just before she passed on. She made black-and-white-on-red bowls and black-on-white and black-and-red-on-yellow jars and lidded cookie jars. Her favorite designs were of the Sikyátki-Revival style made popular by Nampeyo of Hano. Marcia especially preferred designs incorporating bird elements and feathers.

Marcia earned a Second Place award at the Heard Museum Guild Indian Arts Fair and Market in 1976 for a seed pot. She also earned an Honorable Mention that year for a fruit bowl.

Marcia grew up at a time when Hopi potters were first being encouraged to sign their pots. However, the majority did not know how to read or write so they were encouraged to develop hallmarks. Marcia often signed her pieces with a “Flying Ant” hallmark, hence the name “Ant Woman.”