Aragon, Rachel

The daughter of Lupe Aragon, Rachel Aragon was born into Acoma Pueblo in October 1938. She and her older sister Florence were interested in making pottery while their sister Mary Trujillo didn’t seem to be. So Lupe taught Rachel and Florence and later, after Florence gave birth to John F. Aragon, she had a hand in teaching him, too.

Rachel, Florence and John collaborated often over the years, but each also made their own pottery and earned their own awards. Rachel earned numerous First and Second Place awards at the Santa Fe Indian Market, the New Mexico State Fair and the Gallup InterTribal Ceremonial.

Rachel became known for making large traditional polychrome and fine line jars and bowls. Her favorite designs seem to have been Tularosa spirals, deer-with-heart-lines, flowers and parrots.