Tenorio, Robert

“I can never make the perfect pot because everything happens in the fire.”

Born in 1950, Robert Tenorio grew up on Santo Domingo Pueblo in northern New Mexico. He began working with clay early in life, learning the basics with his grandmother Andrea Ortiz and his great-aunt Lupe Tenorio.

When he finished high school he moved on to the Institute of American Indian Arts (IAIA) in Santa Fe and began studying art and jewelry design. It wasn’t long, though, before he switched his major and began formal training with clay under famed Hopi potter Otellie Loloma.

At IAIA, he made his first bowls for his mother. When other women in the pueblo saw them, they asked Robert to make some for them, too. He was making the bowls out of Stoneware, a processed commercial clay that’s fired in a kiln.

When he returned to Santo Domingo, though, he had to learn some of the traditional art all over again: he no longer had access to the clay or the kiln.

So Robert began collecting and processing native clays and learning the traditional firing methods used by his people. He started creating pots, canteens and polychrome jars characteristic of the centuries old styles of his Santo Domingo ancestors.

A full-time potter since 1970, Robert’s work reflects his reverence for his heritage. Santo Domingo is known for its utilitarian ware decorated with birds, fish, flowers and simple-but-bold geometrics, and that’s what Robert says he most enjoys making.

Robert’s work can be found in the collections of the Peabody Museum at Harvard University in Cambridge, MA, the Nagoya Museum in Japan and the collection of the Royal Family of Great Britain.

He signs his work “Robert Tenorio, KEWA, N.M.”

Some exhibits that featured Robert’s work

• Place, Nations, Generations, Beings: 200 Years of Indigenous North American Art. Yale University Art Gallery. New Haven, Connecticut. November 1, 2019 – June 21, 2020. Note: based on objects from the Yale University collections; accompanied by an exhibition catalogue
• Crafted to Perfection: the Nancy & Alan Cameros Collection of Southwestern Pottery. Rockwell Museum of Western Art. Corning, New York. November 22, 2007 – May 18, 2008
• Breaking the Mold: the Virginia Vogel Mattern Collection of Contemporary Native American Art. Denver Art Museum. Denver, Colorado. October 2006 – July 2007
• Home: Native People in the Southwest. Heard Museum. Phoenix, Arizona. 2005
• Hold Everything! Masterworks of Basketry and Pottery from the Heard Museum. Heard Museum. Phoenix, Arizona. November 1, 2001 – March 10, 2002
• The Seven Families of Pueblo Pottery: Simply Santa Fe. Santa Fe, New Mexico. August 16-31, 1990
• Innovators: Dorothy Torivio, Richard Zane Smith, Robert Tenorio and Karita Coffey. Gallery 10. Scottsdale, Arizona. February 6-19, 1986
• 1981 Heard Museum Guild Annual Native American Arts Show. Heard Museum. Phoenix, Arizona. November 13-18, 1981
• 1980 Heard Museum Guild Indian Arts and Crafts Exhibit. Heard Museum. Phoenix, Arizona. November 26, 1980 – December 3, 1980
• 1979 Heard Museum Guild Indian Arts and Crafts Exhibit. Heard Museum. Phoenix, Arizona. November 21, 1979 – December 3, 1979
• The Santa Fe Indian Market in Perspective. Wheelwright Museum of the American Indian. Santa Fe, New Mexico. August 1979 – September 24, 1979
• Images from the Earth. Institute of American Indian Arts. Santa Fe, New Mexico. October 6, 1978 – November 3, 1978
  1977 Heard Museum Guild Indian Arts and Crafts Exhibit. Heard Museum. Phoenix, Arizona. November 25, 1977 – December 3, 1977
• The Institute of American Indian Arts Alumni Exhibition. 1973-1974 Traveling exhibition planned for the following venues: Museum of the Institute of American Arts, Santa Fe, NM, 12/17/1973-1/26/1974; Amon Carter Museum, Fort Worth, TX, 2/14-3/31/1974; New Orleans Museum of Art, New Orleans, LA, 4/27-6/10/1974; Oklahoma Art Center, Oklahoma City, OK, 7/21-9/5/1974. (12/17/1973 – 09/05/1974)
• 1973 Heard Museum Guild Indian Arts and Crafts Exhibit. Heard Museum. Phoenix, Arizona. November 24, 1973 – December 2, 1973
• 11th Annual Scottsdale National Indian Arts Exhibition. Safari Hotel Convention Center. Scottsdale, AZ. March 29, 1972 – April 2, 1972
• 1971 Heard Museum Guild Indian Arts and Crafts Exhibit. Heard Museum. Phoenix, Arizona. November 27, 1971 – December 5, 1971
• 1971 Tenth Scottsdale National Indian Arts Exhibition. Executive House. Scottsdale, Arizona. February 27, 1971 – March 7, 1971
• 1970 Heard Museum Guild Indian Arts and Crafts Exhibit. Heard Museum. Phoenix, Arizona. November 28, 1970 – December 6, 1970
• 1970 Ninth Scottsdale National Indian Arts Exhibition. Executive House. Scottsdale, Arizona. February 28, 1970 – March 8, 1970
• 1969 Heard Museum Guild Indian Arts and Crafts Exhibit. Heard Museum. Phoenix, Arizona. March 29, 1969 – April 6, 1969

Some of the awards Robert earned

• 2006 Heard Museum Guild Indian Fair & Market, Classification II – Pottery, Division A – Traditional – native clay/hand built/painted: Second Place
• 2004 Santa Fe Indian Market, Classification II – Pottery, Division F – Traditional pottery, painted designs on matte or semi-matte surface, all forms except jars, Category 1302 – Other bowl forms: First Place
• 2004 Santa Fe Indian Market, Classification II – Pottery, Division F – Traditional pottery, painted designs on matte or semi-matte surface, all forms except jars, Category 1305 – Plates: First Place
• 2003 Heard Museum Guild Indian Fair & Market, Classification III – Cultural items, Division A – Personal ornamentation/accessories: Honorable Mention
• 2003 Heard Museum Guild Indian Fair & Market: Judge’s Choice Award – Susan Folwell. Awarded for artwork: “The Train Changes the World of Pueblo Pottery”
• 2002 Santa Fe Indian Market, Classification II – Pottery, Division E – Traditional pottery, jars (including wedding jars), painted designs on matte or semi-matte surface, Category 1204 – Jars, Santo Domingo or Cochiti: First Place
• 2002 Santa Fe Indian Market, Classification II – Pottery, Division F – Traditional pottery, painted designs on matte or semi-matte surface, Category 1301 – Seed bowls, opening must be top center: Second Place
• 2001 Santa Fe Indian Market, Classification II – Pottery, Division E – Traditional pottery jars, painted designs on matte or semi-matte surface, Category 1204 – Jars, Santo Domingo or Cochiti: Third Place
• 2000 Santa Fe Indian Market, Classification II – Pottery, Division E – Traditional pottery, jars with painted designs on matte or semi-matte surface, Category 1206 – Jars, Zia, Santa Ana, Santo Domingo or Cochiti: Third Place
• 2000 Santa Fe Indian Market, Classification II – Pottery, Division F – Traditional pottery, painted designs on matte or semi-matte surface, all forms except jars, Category 1314 – Miscellaneous: First Place
• 2000 Santa Fe Indian Market, Classification II – Pottery, Division G – Non-traditional pottery, new forms using traditional materials & techniques, Category 1405 – Bowls: First Place
• 1998 Santa Fe Indian Market, Classification II – Pottery, Division E – Traditional pottery, jars, painted designs on matte or semi-matte surface, Category 1206 – Jars, Zia, Santa Ana, Santo Domingo, Cochiti: First Place
• 1998 Santa Fe Indian Market, Classification II – Pottery, Division F – Traditional pottery, painted designs on matte or semi-matte surface, all forms except jars, Category 1304 – Other bowl forms (over 9″ in diameter): Second Place
• 1997 Santa Fe Indian Market, Classification II – Pottery, Division E – Traditional pottery, jars, painted designs on matte or semi-matte surface, Category 1206 – Jars, Zia, Santa Ana, Santo Domingo, Cochiti: First Place
• 1997 Santa Fe Indian Market, Classification II – Pottery, Division F – Traditional pottery, painted designs on matte or semi-matte surface, all forms except jars, Category 1302 – Seed bowl (over 7″ in diameter): Third Place
• 1996 Santa Fe Indian Market, Classification II – Pottery, Division E – Traditional pottery, jars, painted designs on matte or semi-matte surface, Category 1206 – Jars, Zia, Santa Ana, Santo Domingo, Cochiti: Second Place
• 1996 Santa Fe Indian Market, Classification II – Pottery, Division F – Traditional pottery, painted designs on matte or semi-matte surface, all forms except jars, Category 1307 – Canteens: First Place
• 1996 Santa Fe Indian Market, Classification II – Pottery, Division F – Traditional pottery, painted designs on matte or semi-matte surface, all forms except jars, Category 1314 – Miscellaneous: Third Place
• 1995 Santa Fe Indian Market, Lorenzo Gonzales Memorial Award-Excellence in San Ildefonso Polychrome
• 1995 Santa Fe Indian Market: Indian Arts Fund-Excellence in Any Traditional Art
• 1995 Santa Fe Indian Market, Classification II – Pottery, Division E – Traditional pottery, painted designs on matte or semi-matte surface, jars, Category 1305 – Jars, Zia, Santa Ana, Santo Domingo, or Cochiti: First Place
• 1995 Santa Fe Indian Market, Classification II – Pottery, Division E – Traditional pottery, painted designs on matte or semi-matte surface, jars, Category 1307 – Jars, other tribes or pueblos: Second Place
• 1995 Santa Fe Indian Market, Classification II – Pottery, Division G – Traditional pottery, painted designs on matte or semi-matte surface, all forms but jars, Category 1404 – Other bowl forms (over 9 inches in diameter): First Place
• 1995 Santa Fe Indian Market, Classification II – Pottery, Division G – Traditional pottery, painted designs on matte or semi-matte surface, all forms but jars, Category 1408 – Plates: First Place
• 1994 Santa Fe Indian Market, Classification II – Pottery, Division G – Traditional pottery, painted designs on matte or semi-matte surface, all forms but jars, Category 1404 – Other bowl forms (over 9 inches in diameter): Second Place
• 1993 Santa Fe Indian Market, Classification II – Pottery, Division F – Traditional pottery, painted designs on matte or semi-matte surface, jars: Best of Division
• 1993 Santa Fe Indian Market, Classification II – Pottery, Division F – Traditional pottery, painted designs on matte or semi-matte surface, jars, Category 1303 – Jars, Zia, Santa Ana, Santo Domingo or Cochiti: First Place
• 1993 Santa Fe Indian Market, Classification II – Pottery, Division G – Traditional pottery, painted designs on matte or semi-matte surface, all forms but jars, Category 1406 – Canteens: Second Place
• 1992 Santa Fe Indian Market, Classification II – Pottery, Division F – Traditional pottery, painted designs on matte or semi-matte surface, jars, Category 1303 – Jars, Zia, Santa Ana, Santo Domingo or Cochiti: First Place
• 1992 Santa Fe Indian Market, Classification II – Pottery, Division G – Traditional pottery, painted designs on matte or semi-matte surface, all forms but jars, Category 1404 – Other bowl forms (over 8″ in diameter): First Place
• 1992 Santa Fe Indian Market, Classification II – Pottery, Division G – Traditional pottery, painted designs on matte or semi-matte surface, all forms but jars, Category 1406 – Canteens: First Place
• 1991 Santa Fe Indian Market: Large Pottery Award – Best Traditional Pottery Bowl or Jar 15 inches or more in Height or Diameter
• 1991 Santa Fe Indian Market, Classification II – Pottery, Division F – Traditional pottery, painted designs on matte or semi-matte surface, jars, Category 1303 – Jars, Zia, Santa Ana, Santo Domingo or Cochiti: First Place
• 1991 Santa Fe Indian Market, Classification II – Pottery, Division G – Traditional pottery, painted designs on matte or semi-matte surface, all forms but jars, Category 1404 – Other bowl forms (over 8″ in diameter): First Place
• 1991 Santa Fe Indian Market, Classification II – Pottery, Division G – Traditional pottery, painted designs on matte or semi-matte surface, all forms but jars, Category 1406 – Canteens: Second Place
• 1990 Santa Fe Indian Market, Classification II – Pottery, Division G – Traditional pottery, painted designs on matte or semi-matte surface, all forms but jars, Category 1210 – Wedding vases: First Place
• 1990 Santa Fe Indian Market, Classification II – Pottery, Division H – Non-traditional pottery, new forms using traditional materials & techniques, Category 1307 – Miscellaneous: First Place
• 1988 Santa Fe Indian Market: Indian Arts Fund Award for Overall Excellence in any Traditional Craft
• 1988 Santa Fe Indian Market, Classification II – Pottery, Division F – Traditional pottery, painted designs on matte or semi-matte surface, Jars, Category 1203 – Jars: First Place
• 1988 Santa Fe Indian Market, Classification II – Pottery, Division F – Traditional pottery, painted designs on matte or semi-matte surface, Jars, Category 1209 – Canteens: Second Place
• 1988 Santa Fe Indian Market, Classification II – Pottery, Division F – Traditional pottery, painted designs on matte or semi-matte surface, Jars, Category 1210 – Plates: Second Place
• 1987 Gallup InterTribal Ceremonial, Classification IV – Pottery, Pots 15-18 inches: Second Place
• 1986 Santa Fe Indian Market, Classification II – Pottery, Division C – Traditional pottery, incised in the style of San Juan, Category 901 – All forms: Second Place
• 1986 Santa Fe Indian Market, Classification II – Pottery, Division F – Traditional pottery, painted designs on matte or semi-matte surface, jars, Category 1203 – Jars, Zia, Santa Ana, Santo Domingo or Cochiti: Third Place
• 1986 Santa Fe Indian Market, Classification II – Pottery, Division G – Traditional pottery, painted designs on matte or semi-matte surface, all forms but jars, Category 1207 – Other bowl forms: First Place
• 1986 Santa Fe Indian Market, Classification II – Pottery, Division G – Traditional pottery, painted designs on matte or semi-matte surface, all forms but jars, Category 1210 – Plates: Second Place
• 1984 Santa Fe Indian Market: Potcarrier Award – Best Traditional Pottery Jar or Bowl 15 inches or more in height or diameter
• 1984 Santa Fe Indian Market, Classification II – Pottery, Division F – Traditional pottery, painted designs on matte or semi-matte surface, Category 1203 – Jars, Zia, Santa Ana, Santo Domingo or Cochiti: Second Place
• 1984 Santa Fe Indian Market, Classification II – Pottery, Division F – Traditional pottery, painted designs on matte or semi-matte surface, Category 1206 – Other bowl forms: First Place
• 1983 Santa Fe Indian Market, Potcarrier Award – Best traditional jar or bowl
• 1983 Santa Fe Indian Market, Classification II – Pottery, Division F – Traditional, painted designs on matte or semi-matte surface: First Place
• 1983 Santa Fe Indian Market, Classification II – Pottery, Division F – Traditional, painted designs on matte or semi-matte surface: Second Place
• 1981 Heard Museum Guild Fourteenth Annual Native American Arts Show, Classification V – Pottery, Division A – Traditional polychrome: First Place
• 1981 Santa Fe Indian Market, Classification – Pottery: First Place
• 1981 Santa Fe Indian Market, Classification Pottery: Second Place
• 1980 Heard Museum Guild Indian Arts and Crafts Exhibit, Classification VII – Pottery, Division A – Traditional Construction and Firing: Honorable Mention
• 1980 Santa Fe Indian Market, Classification Pottery: First Place
• 1980 Santa Fe Indian Market, Classification Pottery: Second Place
• 1980 Santa Fe Indian Market: Special Judges Award
• 1979 Heard Museum Guild Indian Arts and Crafts Exhibit: Best of New Mexico Pottery
• 1979 Heard Museum Guild Indian Arts and Crafts Exhibit: Popovi Da Award for Pottery
• 1979 Heard Museum Guild Indian Arts and Crafts Exhibit: Best of Pottery
• 1979 Heard Museum Guild Indian Arts and Crafts Exhibit, Classification VII – Pottery, Division A – Traditional Methods of Construction and Firing: Third Place
• 1979 Heard Museum Guild Indian Arts and Crafts Exhibit, Classification VII – Pottery, Division A – Traditional Methods of Construction and Firing: Honorable Mention
• 1979 Heard Museum Guild Indian Arts and Crafts Exhibit, Classification VII – Pottery, Division C – Figurines and Representations: Third Place
• 1979 Santa Fe Indian Market: Special Judges Award
• 1979 Santa Fe Indian Market, Pottery – Painted (Designs on matte or semi-matte surface), Canteens: First Place
• 1977 Heard Museum Guild Indian Arts and Crafts Exhibit, Classification VII – Pottery, Division D – Kiln fired: Second Place
• 1974 Santa Fe Indian Market, Pottery – Santo Domingo Pueblo: First Place
• 1973 Heard Museum Guild Indian Arts and Crafts Exhibit, Classification XII – Pottery, Division A – Traditional shapes and designs: Honorable Mention (2)
• 1972 11th Annual Scottsdale National Indian Arts Exhibition, Section C – Crafts, Classification VIII – Pottery, Division C – Contemporary: Second Place
• 1972 11th Annual Scottsdale National Indian Arts Exhibition, Section C – Crafts, Classification VIII – Pottery, Division C – Contemporary: Third Place
• 1971 Heard Museum Guild Indian Arts and Crafts Exhibit, Classification XII – Pottery, Division B – Contemporary Pottery: Third Place
• 1971 Tenth Scottsdale National Indian Arts Exhibition, Section C – Crafts, Classification VIII – Pottery, Division C – Contemporary (wheel thrown in combination with other techniques; pinch, slap or any combination, and any method of firing): First Place
• 1971 Tenth Scottsdale National Indian Arts Exhibition, Section C – Crafts, Classification VIII – Pottery, Division C – Contemporary (wheel thrown in combination with other techniques; pinch, slap or any combination, and any method of firing): Third Place
• 1970 Heard Museum Guild Indian Arts and Crafts Exhibit, Classification XII – Pottery, Division B – Contemporary Pottery: Second Place
• 1970 Heard Museum Guild Indian Arts and Crafts Exhibit, Classification XII – Pottery, Division B – Contemporary Pottery: Third Place
• 1970 Ninth Scottsdale National Indian Arts Exhibition, Section B – Crafts, Classification VIII – Pottery, Division C – Contemporary (wheel thrown in combination with other techniques; pinch, slap or any combination, and any method of firing): Second Place
• 1970 Ninth Scottsdale National Indian Arts Exhibition, Section B – Crafts, Classification VIII – Pottery, Division C – Contemporary (Wheel thrown in combination with other techniques; pinch, slap or any combination, and any method of firing: Third Place
• 1969 Heard Museum Guild Indian Arts and Crafts Exhibit, Classification X – Pottery, Division C – Contemporary pottery: Second Place
• 1969 Heard Museum Guild Indian Arts and Crafts Exhibit, Classification X – Pottery, Division C – Contemporary pottery: Honorable Mention