Toya, Marie R

Marie Roberta Toya was born into Jemez Pueblo in July 1956. She is the daughter of Casimiro and Mary E. Toya. Like her siblings, she learned how to make pottery by watching and working with their mother.

Marie primarily makes storytellers and nativities. In maybe half her storytellers the eyes are open but in her other storytellers and most of her figures, the eyes are prayerfully closed. Her figures are created with Jemez-style clothing and are masterfully painted in traditional Jemez designs. She was a participant in Santa Fe Indian Market for more than 10 years. Marie talks to her pieces as she makes them and she says “It makes me think what to give each child and what the Grandfather or Grandmother is telling them.”

Among Marie’s six sisters are potters Judy Toya, Anita Toya and Mary Ellen Toya. She signs her pieces: Marie R. Toya, Jemez.