Lewis, Rosemary

Born into Santa Clara Pueblo in 1952, Rosemary Lewis is the daughter of Olaria Sisneros and brother of Jerry Sisneros (1946-2017). Geri Naranjo and Kevin Naranjo are cousins.

Rosemary learned how to make pottery from her mother as she was growing up. She made her first pieces when she was nine years old. After she married Travis Lewis (1951- , Pima) she often collaborated with him. Travis learned how to make pottery through watching Mary Cain as she worked.

Rosemary specialized in making carved blackware jars, bowls, vases and buffalo figures. Her favorite designs to carve are the avanyu and the kokopelli. Rosemary’s signature varied throughout her career. Sometimes she signed Rose M. Lewis, sometimes Rose Lewis, sometimes Rose M T Lewis, sometimes Rose M. Lewis T. Sometimes it was Rose M. followed by T transposed over L.