Angela Baca facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Angela T. Baca
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Red melon bowl made by Angela Baca
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| Born |
Angela Tafoya
November 6, 1927 |
| Died | February 16, 2014 (aged 86) |
| Nationality | American (Santa Clara Pueblo) |
| Known for | Carved redware and blackware; melon bowls; bear paw bowls |
| Spouse(s) | Jose Antonio Baca |
Angela Tafoya Baca (1927 – 2014) was a famous Native American artist. She was known for making beautiful pottery from clay. Her special styles were called redware and blackware. Angela was especially famous for her "melon bowls" and bowls with a "bear paw" design. She worked as a potter for a very long time in Santa Clara Pueblo, in New Mexico. She was also a member of the Tewa people.
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Angela Baca's Life Story
Angela Tafoya Baca was born on November 6, 1927. Her parents were Severa and Cleto Tafoya. Angela grew up in Santa Clara Pueblo. Her childhood home later became an art gallery. It was called the Merrock Galeria. Her nephew, Paul Speckled Rock, owned and managed it.
Angela married Jose Antonio "Tony" Baca. They had 10 children together. Four of their children also became well-known potters. Their names were David, Darryl, Leona, and Alvin. Angela Baca passed away on February 16, 2014. She was buried in the Santa Fe National Cemetery.
Angela's Amazing Pottery Art
Angela Baca learned how to make pottery from her mother, Severa Tafoya. Her mother was also a famous potter. Angela's mother made melon bowls with big ridges. Angela decided to make her melon bowls with smaller ridges.
Her first pottery piece won a top award. This happened at the Santa Fe Indian Market in Santa Fe, New Mexico. After that, she decided to focus on making melon bowls. She made them in both red and black colors. Angela is seen as a very important artist for melon potters. You can see a photo of Angela Baca at the Santa Fe Indian Market in 1991.
Four of Angela's children continued her pottery tradition. Her sons, Darryl and Alvin Baca, make melon bowls and jars. Her son, David "Yellow Mountain" Baca, is known for his squash design melon bowls. Her daughter, Leona Baca, makes tiny melon bowls.
My family influenced my work. I like it all: gathering the clay, making the pots and polishing.
—Neil Chapman
Awards for Her Work
Angela Baca won many awards for her beautiful pottery. Here are some of them:
| Year | Award |
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| 1977 | Third Place, black jar, Indian Market, Santa Fe, New Mexico |
| 1979 | Second Place, melon bowl, Indian Market, Santa Fe, New Mexico |
| 1980 | Second, Third Place, Indian Market, Santa Fe, New Mexico |
| 1981 | Second Place, Indian Market, Santa Fe, New Mexico |
| 1986 | Third Place, wedding vase, Indian Market, Santa Fe, New Mexico |
| 1992 | Third Place, black melon bowl, Indian Market, Santa Fe, New Mexico |
Where Her Art Was Shown
Angela Baca's pottery was shown in many places. These shows helped people see her amazing work.
| Year | Venue |
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| 1977-99 | Indian Market, Santa Fe, New Mexico |
| 1979 | Old Santa Fe Trading Company, Elgin, Illinois |
| 1984 | The Graphic Image, Millburn, New Jersey (gallery show with Maria Martinez and Popovi Da, Blue Corn, Stella Chavarria, and others) |
| 1985 | Sid Deusch Gallery, New York, New York (gallery show with Margaret Tafoya) |
Her art was also shown at other important museums. These include the Heard Museum in Phoenix, Arizona, the National Museum of the American Indian in Washington, D.C., and the Wheelwright Museum of the American Indian in Santa Fe, New Mexico.
