Garcia, Sharon Naranjo

“I once asked her, ‘Grandma, what is your favorite part of pottery making?’ She said it was shaping and building the pots.”

Sharon Naranjo Garcia was born into Santa Clara Pueblo in February 1951. Her mother was Cecilia Naranjo but she was raised by her grandmother, Christina Naranjo. She learned to make carved and plain, blackware and redware, water jars, melon bowls, seed pots, vases and wedding vases. Her favorite designs to carve were feathers, bear paws and the avanyu (the mythic Tewa water serpent).

Some Awards Earned by Sharon

• 2023 Santa Fe Indian Market, Sara Fina Tafoya memorial Award
• 2023 Santa Fe Indian Market, Classification IIA, Category 503 – Plain Burnished/Polished (can have impressions, e.g. bear claw), any form, Second Place
• 2007 Heard Museum Guild Indian Fair and Market, Classification II – Pottery, Division B – Traditional, native clay, hand built, unpainted: Honorable Mention
• 2007 Heard Museum Guild Indian Fair and Market: Judge’s Choice Award – Jerry Jacka. Awarded for artwork: Avanyu (Water Serpent) & Eagle Feather Vase
• 2006 Heard Museum Guild Indian Fair and Market, Classification II – Pottery, Division B – Traditional – Native Clay/Hand Built/unpainted: First Place
• 2004 Santa Fe Indian Market: Standards Award, II – Pottery – Excellence in Utilitarian Vessels
• 2004 Santa Fe Indian Market, Classification II – Pottery, Division B – Traditional pottery, undecorated, Category 901 – Jars including wedding jars: Second Place
• 2004 Santa Fe Indian Market, Classification II – Pottery, Division B – Traditional pottery, undecorated, Category 903 – Melon bowls and melon jars: Third Place