Nathan Youngblood facts for kids

Nathan Youngblood (born 1954) is a talented Native American artist. He is famous for making beautiful pottery from his home in Santa Clara Pueblo, New Mexico, in the United States.

Early Life and Learning Pottery

Nathan Youngblood was born in Fort Carson, Colorado. His parents were Mela and Walt Youngblood. When Nathan was growing up, his family moved around a lot because his father was in the military. Eventually, his family returned to their home at Santa Clara Pueblo.

It was there that Nathan learned the art of pottery. He watched his grandmother, Margaret Tafoya, who was known as a very important and respected potter in Santa Clara. Margaret taught him how to make and polish the pots. She told him that taking extra time with polishing would make his work shine. His grandfather, Alcario Tafoya, also helped him by teaching him about designs and carving. Nathan's mother, Mela, was also a successful potter. She helped create the unique melon-shaped pot, which is now famous in Southwestern art.

Creating Amazing Pottery

Nathan has been making pottery since 1972. He uses traditional methods to create his pieces. He makes jars, vases, bowls, and canteens. These are often in black, red, or tan colors. He also makes carved and painted plates. His pots are usually quite large, often more than ten inches wide.

Nathan uses old techniques that have been passed down through generations. He often adds his own unique touch by using abstract shapes in his designs. When he fires his pottery, he uses the same traditional method as his grandmother. He fires each pot one by one. This way, if something goes wrong during the firing, only one pot is affected, not all of them.

Awards and Exhibitions

Nathan Youngblood is known as a highly respected potter. People admire his creative designs and the excellent quality of his work. Since 1976, he has won more than 44 awards at the famous Santa Fe Indian Market. He often wins first or second place for his amazing pottery. In 1987, he received the Jack Hoover Memorial Award for his outstanding Santa Clara Pueblo pottery.

Since 1974, Nathan's work has been shown in many art galleries. You could see his pottery in places like Scottsdale, Arizona and Santa Fe, New Mexico. In 1985, his work was even part of a show in New York City. His pottery has also been displayed in very important places like the White House and the Smithsonian American Art Museum in Washington, D.C.. You can also find his art at the Heard Museum in Phoenix, Arizona, the Gilcrease Museum in Tulsa, Oklahoma, and the Denver Museum of Nature and Science in Denver, Colorado.

Community Involvement

Nathan Youngblood has also spent a lot of time helping his community. He has served on the boards for important organizations like the Gallup Inter-Tribal Ceremonial and the Southwestern Association for Indian Arts. He also served on the board of directors for the Wheelwright Museum in Santa Fe. Nathan has also given talks about his art at places like the National Museum of American Art and the Denver Museum of Natural History.