Naranjo, Virginia

Virginia Naranjo was born into Cochiti Pueblo in October 1932. She was the daughter of Salvador and Evaline Arquero, niece of Juanita Arquero. She married Louis Naranjo in 1961 and learned to make pottery from his mother, Frances Naranjo Suina (who’d married into Cochiti Pueblo from Santa Clara Pueblo and moved to Cochiti years before).

Virginia was known for her polychrome jars, bowls, storytellers, wall plaques, nativity sets and animal figures. After their daughter, Pauline, was born, Virginia suffered a stroke. During her recovery, she taught Louis how to make pottery and they collaborated most of the rest of their lives.