Leonidas Tapia facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Leonidas Tapia
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|---|---|
| Born | (unknown) |
| Died | 1977 |
| Nationality | American Pueblo |
| Occupation | Puebloan potter |
| Spouse(s) | Jose Blas Tapia |
| Children | Mary Trujillo (b. 1937); Tom Tapia (b. 1946) |
Leonidas Tapia was a talented Puebloan potter from Ohkay Owingeh, New Mexico, in the United States. She was known for her beautiful traditional pottery until her death in 1977.
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About Leonidas Tapia
Leonidas Tapia was married to Jose Blas Tapia. They had two children: a daughter named Mary Trujillo (born in 1937) and a son named Tom Tapia (born in 1946).
Her Pottery Work
Leonidas was skilled in making traditional pottery. She created many pieces, including bowls, jars, and special wedding vases. Her pottery often featured a style called "San Juan polychrome redware." This means the pottery was made with red clay and decorated with many colors.
She also made "micaceous pottery." This type of pottery has a unique, sparkly look. It gets this shine from tiny mineral flakes mixed into the clay.
Designs and Artistry
Leonidas used special designs on her pottery. These included images of the water serpent, shapes that looked like kiva steps, and clouds. Kivas are important ceremonial buildings for Pueblo people.
From 1970 to 1976, Leonidas showed her amazing pottery at the Santa Fe Indian Market. This is a big event where Native American artists share their work.
Her Family's Pottery Legacy
Leonidas Tapia passed on her pottery skills to her children.
Tom Tapia, Her Son
Her son, Tom Tapia, learned how to make pottery by working with his mother. He became a very successful potter himself. Tom is known for his "sgraffito" style. This is a special way of decorating pottery by scratching designs into the surface. He has won many awards for his art. Tom also creates pottery with his wife, Sue Tapia.
Mary Trujillo, Her Daughter
Leonidas's daughter, Mary Trujillo, married Leonard, who was the son of the famous potter Helen Cordero. Helen Cordero was from Cochiti Pueblo. Mary learned to make "storyteller figures" from her mother-in-law, Helen. Storyteller figures are clay sculptures of a person (often an elder) surrounded by children, telling stories. Helen Cordero was the first and most famous artist to create these figures. Mary Trujillo has also won many awards for her storyteller sculptures.
