Laurencita Herrera facts for kids
Laurencita R. Herrera (1912–1984) was a famous Native American artist from the Cochiti Pueblo. She was known for making traditional Cochiti pottery. Her special creations included storyteller figures and other pottery vessels.
Laurencita was part of the Herrera family, a well-known group of Pueblo potters in New Mexico. Their artwork is often displayed in art collections and museums. She made pottery actively from the 1930s to the 1970s. Many people consider her one of the best Cochiti potters of that time.
Her Life and Family
Laurencita R. Herrera was born in 1912. Her home was Cochiti Pueblo in Cochiti, New Mexico. She learned how to make pottery from her mother, Reyes Romero.
Laurencita married Nestor Herrera, who made drums at Cochiti Pueblo. They had nine children together. Two of their daughters, Seferina Ortiz and Mary Francis Herrera, also became potters. Many of her grandchildren and even great-grandchildren are artists today. These include Inez Ortiz, Virgil Ortiz, Joyce Lewis, Janice Ortiz, Mary Ramona Herrera, and Lisa Holt.
What Are Storyteller Figures?
Storyteller figures are special pottery pieces. They usually show an adult figure with many children climbing on them. These figures represent a storyteller sharing tales. The Cochiti Pueblo has made and sold storyteller pottery since the 1870s.
This tradition became less popular for a while. But in 1964, a famous artist named Helen Cordero brought it back. She created a new storyteller figure after someone asked her to. After this, many artists, including Laurencita Herrera, started making them again. They also made animal figures, "singing ladies" holding drums or pots, and "singing mothers" holding babies.
Where to See Her Art
You can see Laurencita R. Herrera's amazing artwork in several places. Her pottery is on permanent display at the Indian Pueblo Cultural Center in Albuquerque, New Mexico. It is also part of the museum collection at the Museum of International Folk Art in Santa Fe, New Mexico. You can also find her work at the Bandelier Museum, located within the Bandelier National Monument.
