Antonio, Melissa Concho
Melissa Concho Antonio was born to Gilbert and Lillie Concho of Acoma Pueblo in October 1965. Lillie was a potter so Melissa was exposed to the process of making pottery the traditional way since early in life. She first showed an interest when she was about 12 so Lillie began teaching her the fundamentals.
She was about 23 when she married Daniel Antonio and started a family. Making pottery became a good way for her to stay home with the kids and still make a financial contribution. At that point, Melissa began learning from her mother-in-law, Mildred Antonio. Mildred made only traditional pottery but she was a master of fine line and checkerboard designs.
Melissa has made traditional polychrome jars, bowls, seed pots and vases. Her favorite designs seem to be different animals, kokopelli and optical effect black-on-white patterns.
Some Awards earned by Melissa
- 1992 New Mexico State Fair, First Place and Second Place awards
- 1993 New Mexico State Fair, Third Place award
- 1994 New Mexico State Fair, Best of Show and First Place awards
- 1994 Gallup InterTribal Ceremonial, First Place award
- 1995 New Mexico State Fair, First Place award
- 1995 Gallup InterTribal Ceremonial, Second Place award
- 1996 Eight Northern Indian Pueblos Arts & Crafts Show, First Place award
- 1996 Gallup Intertribal Ceremonial, Second Place, Third Place and Honorable Mention awards
- 1997 New Mexico State Fair, Second Place award
- 2001 New Mexico State Fair, Third Place award
- 2001 Eight Northern Indian Pueblos Arts & Crafts Show, Second Place award
- 2018 Prescott Indian Art Market, First Place award