Santa Clara Pueblo Pottery

Today's pottery from Santa Clara is typically either black or red, although there are some who create pottery using other colors. The red and black wares, though, are usually highly polished. Some is undecorated, some with only a bear paw imprint or two around the shoulder or neck. But other pieces might have multiple intricate designs carved or etched (“sgraffito”) into the pot's surface.

The water serpent, (avanyu), is a traditional design motif of Santa Clara pottery. Another motif comes from the legend of a bear that helped the people find water during a drought. The bear paw has been a trademark on Santa Clara pottery ever since.

One of the reasons for the distinction this pueblo has received is because of the evolving artistry the potters have brought to the craft. Not only did this pueblo produce excellent blackware and redware, several notable innovations helped move pottery from the realm of utilitarian vessels into the domain of art.

Different styles of polychrome redware emerged in the 1920s and 1930s. In the early 1960s experiments with stone inlay, incising and double firing began. Modern potters have also extended the tradition with unusual shapes, slips and designs, illustrating what one Santa Clara potter said: “At Santa Clara, being non-traditional is the tradition.” (This refers strictly to artistic expression; the method of creating pottery remains traditional).

Santa Clara Pueblo is home to a number of famous pottery-making families: Tafoya, Baca, Gutierrez, Naranjo, Suazo, Chavarria, Garcia, Vigil, Tapia – to name a few.