LuAnn Tafoya facts for kids

LuAnn Tafoya was born in 1938 in Santa Clara Pueblo, New Mexico. She is a famous Native American potter. LuAnn comes from a family of talented potters. Her mother, Margaret Tafoya, and her grandmother, Sara Fina Tafoya, were also well-known artists.

LuAnn Tafoya continues their family tradition. She creates large pottery pieces using old, traditional methods. Her work is special because of its size and beautiful finish. She is known for her shiny black and red pots. These pots often feature designs like bear paw prints, the avanyu (a horned serpent), clouds, birds, and gourds.

How LuAnn Tafoya Makes Pottery

LuAnn Tafoya uses methods passed down through her family for generations. She gathers her own clay from the land around Santa Clara Pueblo. She then sifts and mixes the clay with volcanic sand. This process is very similar to how her ancestors prepared their materials.

Gathering and Preparing Materials

The special black and red clay she uses for coating her pots comes from Santo Domingo Pueblo. This clay helps give her pottery its unique colors. Preparing the clay properly is a very important first step.

Shaping the Pots

LuAnn builds her pots using a coiling method. This means she rolls out long ropes of clay and stacks them in circles. She then smooths them together to create the tall, rounded shapes of her vessels. This method allows her to make very large pots.

Polishing and Decorating

After shaping, she applies a thin layer of liquid clay, called a clay slip, to the pot. She then polishes the surface until it becomes very shiny. She sometimes uses small amounts of lard during this polishing step. For designs, she carves into the clay using tools like screwdrivers.

Firing the Pottery

The final step is firing the pots. LuAnn uses a traditional open firing method. First, the pots are slowly pre-heated. Then, they are fired in an open outdoor kiln. This careful firing process makes the pots strong and durable. It also helps create their distinct black or red colors.

Where to See Her Art

LuAnn Tafoya's pottery is highly valued. Her work can be found in many important collections across the United States. These include the Heard Museum and the Cantor Arts Center at Stanford University. You can also see her pieces at the National Museum of the American Indian and the National Museum of Women in the Arts.