Galvan, Theodora

Theodora Galvan Shije (Hayeina) was born into Zia Pueblo around 1899. The records are sparse but it seems she passed on in 1990.

Theodora made traditional Zia pottery: thick-walled jars and thick-bodied dough bowls. Everything from Zia is thick because of the nature of Zia clay and the temper they use.

Theodora always painted using black, terra cotta, deep red and tan, all made from boiled down plant juices or from crushed minerals. Her favorite designs seem to have been the Zia roadrunner, yucca plants, rainbows, thunderclouds and other weather symbols.