Peynetsa, Priscilla

Priscilla Peynetsa was born to Charles and Wilma Peynetsa of Zuni Pueblo in May 1961. Agnes Peynetsa and Anderson Peynetsa are her siblings. They all learned to make pottery through taking Jennie Laate‘s classes at Zuni High, although Agnes always says she learned just as much from her sister and brother.

Priscilla married Daryl Westika. Gaylon Westika is their son, Daria Westika their daughter. Somewhere in that time period while they were growing up, Priscilla suffered a life-threatening accident and lost one of her arms. It took a few years but eventually, she returned to making pottery. She often collaborates with her daughter.

Priscilla primarily makes polychrome and black-on-orange jars, bowls, clay pipes, effigy pots, frogs and pottery necklaces. Among her favorite designs are water serpents, lizards, clouds and deer-with-heart-lines.