CURATORS

Curators of diverse ages, backgrounds, and professions selected and write about one or more works, demonstrating their intimacy with pottery at home and in the greater Pueblo world. Unlike exhibitions guided by Eurocentric timelines and Western concepts of art and history, Grounded in Clay’s focus on personal and community meaning emerges as a conversation expressed in prose, poetry, and the visual language of pottery. The curators’ firsthand knowledge of pots and potters, family rituals, traditional materials, and daily use grounds viewers in a powerful sense of people and place. At the same time, a thread of ancestral memory connects individual pots to the pride, pain, and living legacy of Pueblo peoples.

Joseph Aguilar (Powhogeh storage jar)

Curator Dr. Joseph Aguilar is an enrolled member of San Ildefonso Pueblo, and currently serves as an archaeologist with Bering Straits Native Corporation and as San Ildefonso’s Deputy Tribal Historic Preservation Officer. He received his PhD from the Department of Anthropology at the University of Pennsylvania.

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Joseph Aguilar (Tewa polychrome bowl)

Curator Dr. Joseph Aguilar is an enrolled member of San Ildefonso Pueblo, and currently serves as an archaeologist with Bering Straits Native Corporation and as San Ildefonso’s Deputy Tribal Historic Preservation Officer. He received his PhD from the Department of Anthropology at the University of Pennsylvania.

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Albert Alvidrez (Isleta bowl)

Curator Albert Alvidrez is a former Governor of Ysleta del Sur Pueblo and a tribal potter, artist, historian, pottery collector, mentor, leader, and community activist.

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Loren Aragon

Curator Loren Aragon (Acoma Pueblo) is a former mechanical engineer and now full-time fashion designer and multimedia artist.

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Jade Begay

Curator Jade Begay (Tay tsu’geh Oweenge/Tesuque Pueblo, Diné) is an Indigenous rights organizer. She is the Climate Justice Campaign Director for NDN Collective and serves on the White House Environmental Justice Advisory Council.

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Christina Castro (Jeralyn Lucero figure)

Curator Dr. Christina M. Castro (Taos Pueblo, Jemez Pueblo, Chicana) was born in Southern California to a family who participated in the federal Indian Relocation program. She currently resides in O’gah’poh geh Owingeh (Santa Fe), New Mexico. She is a mother, writer, farmer, scholar, educator, community organizer, multidimensional artist, public speaker, and more. In 2017 Dr. Castro cofounded Three Sisters Collective (3SC), an Indigenous women centered grassroots organization devoted to art, activism, education, and community-building. She is also an independent consultant with Castro Consulting.

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Christina Castro (Juanita Fragua jar)

Curator Dr. Christina M. Castro (Taos Pueblo, Jemez Pueblo, Chicana) was born in Southern California to a family who participated in the federal Indian Relocation program. She currently resides in O’gah’poh geh Owingeh (Santa Fe), New Mexico. She is a mother, writer, farmer, scholar, educator, community organizer, multidimensional artist, public speaker, and more. In 2017 Dr. Castro cofounded Three Sisters Collective (3SC), an Indigenous women centered grassroots organization devoted to art, activism, education, and community-building. She is also an independent consultant with Castro Consulting.

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Tony Chavarria (Santa Clara jar)

Curator Tony R. Chavarria (Santa Clara Pueblo) has more than thirty years’ experience collaborating with tribes and curating Native material culture. As Curator of Ethnology at the Museum of Indian Arts and Culture/Laboratory of Anthropology, Santa Fe, he has curated many exhibitions, including Comic Art Indigène and What’s New in New 2, and in 2018 he was co-curator of Creating Tradition: Innovation and Change in American Indian Art, the first Native exhibition at Epcot in Orlando, Florida. He is an occasional potter and artist.

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Tony Chavarria (Tesuque jar)

Curator Tony R. Chavarria (Santa Clara Pueblo) has more than thirty years’ experience collaborating with tribes and curating Native material culture. As Curator of Ethnology at the Museum of Indian Arts and Culture/Laboratory of Anthropology, Santa Fe, he has curated many exhibitions, including Comic Art Indigène and What’s New in New 2, and in 2018 he was co-curator of Creating Tradition: Innovation and Change in American Indian Art, the first Native exhibition at Epcot in Orlando, Florida. He is an occasional potter and artist.

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Clarence Cruz/Khaayay

Curator Clarence Cruz/Khaayay (Tewa/Ohkay Owingeh) is Assistant Professor in the Art Department at the University of New Mexico. He is also a traditional potter and in 2020 was a recipient of a Luce Indigenous Knowledge Fellowship.

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Patrick Cruz (Gregorita Cruz jar)

Curator Patrick Cruz (Ohkay Owingeh) is an archaeologist and museum collections professional at the Museum of Indian Arts and Culture/Laboratory of Anthropology, Santa Fe.

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Patrick Cruz (Leonidas Tapia jar)

Curator Patrick Cruz (Ohkay Owingeh) is an archaeologist and museum collections professional at the Museum of Indian Arts and Culture/Laboratory of Anthropology, Santa Fe.

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Max Early (Arroh-a-och jar)

Curator Max Early received his MFA in Creative Writing (Poetry) from the Institute of American Indian Arts, Santa Fe, in 2020. He is a published poet and established potter from Laguna Pueblo.

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Max Early (Laguna/Acoma dough bowl)

Curator Max Early received his MFA in Creative Writing (Poetry) from the Institute of American Indian Arts, Santa Fe, in 2020. He is a published poet and established potter from Laguna Pueblo.

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Cliff Fragua

Curator Cliff Fragua, from Jemez Pueblo, was born in 1955 in Albuquerque, New Mexico. He is a sculptor who works primarily in stone, and also in bronze and glass. His highest achievement in his career was a commission from the State of New Mexico for a sculpture that is now in the permanent collection of the National Statuary Hall in the US Capitol Building, Washington, DC. He has a studio in Jemez Pueblo, where he also resides.

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Lorraine Gala Lewis (ladle)

Curator Lorraine Gala Lewis (Laguna, Taos, Hopi) is a graduate of the Institute of American Indian Arts, Santa Fe, and a clay artist who loves to paint. She works closely with museums and art institutions throughout the country, viewing collections and research, and is also an advocate for social and environmental issues concerning the protection of Pueblo natural lands and cultural resources.

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Lorraine Gala Lewis (mug)

Curator Lorraine Gala Lewis (Laguna, Taos, Hopi) is a graduate of the Institute of American Indian Arts, Santa Fe, and a clay artist who loves to paint. She works closely with museums and art institutions throughout the country, viewing collections and research, and is also an advocate for social and environmental issues concerning the protection of Pueblo natural lands and cultural resources.

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Felicia Garcia (Acoma jar)

Curator Felicia Garcia, a member of the Santa Ynez Band of Chumash Indians/Samala Chumash, is a museum scholar and the former Curator of Education at the Indian Arts Research Center, School for Advanced Research, Santa Fe. She currently works for the Indigenous data sovereignty initiative Local Contexts, and strives to use her platform to support Indigenous sovereignty within museum spaces and other cultural institutions.

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Felicia Garcia (dinosaur pot)

Curator Felicia Garcia, a member of the Santa Ynez Band of Chumash Indians/Samala Chumash, is a museum scholar and the former Curator of Education at the Indian Arts Research Center, School for Advanced Research, Santa Fe. She currently works for the Indigenous data sovereignty initiative Local Contexts, and strives to use her platform to support Indigenous sovereignty within museum spaces and other cultural institutions.

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Jason Garcia (Avanyu jar and vase)

Curator Jason Garcia/Okuu Pin (Tewa/Santa Clara Pueblo) is a potter, ceramicist, printmaker, painter, father, son, brother, uncle, and an alumnus of the universities of New Mexico and Wisconsin.

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Jason Garcia (melon bowl)

Curator Jason Garcia/Okuu Pin (Tewa/Santa Clara Pueblo) is a potter, ceramicist, printmaker, painter, father, son, brother, uncle, and an alumnus of the universities of New Mexico and Wisconsin.

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Ray Garcia

Curator Ray Garcia, aka “Ray Duck,” is a jeweler and one of very few San Felipe potters. He loves working with other artists and sharing ideas.

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Tara Gatewood (Isleta jar)

Curator Tara Gatewood (Isleta, Diné) is, by birth, a daughter, granddaughter, great granddaughter, sister, aunt, and niece of strong, resilient Pueblo women; by trade, she is a storyteller, photographer, and print and broadcast journalist.

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Tara Gatewood (Mogollon jar)

Curator Tara Gatewood (Isleta, Diné) is, by birth, a daughter, granddaughter, great granddaughter, sister, aunt, and niece of strong, resilient Pueblo women; by trade, she is a storyteller, photographer, and print and broadcast journalist.

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Tazbah Gaussoin

Curator Tazbah Gaussoin (Picuris Pueblo, Diné/Navajo) is an artist and a museum technician in collections management.

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Erin Monique Grant (Acoma jar)

Curator Erin Monique Grant (Colorado River Indian Tribes) is a museum professional and in 2019–20 was the Anne Ray Intern at the Indian Arts Research Center, School for Advanced Research, Santa Fe.

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Erin Monique Grant (Hano jar)

Curator Erin Monique Grant (Colorado River Indian Tribes) is a museum professional and in 2019–20 was the Anne Ray Intern at the Indian Arts Research Center, School for Advanced Research, Santa Fe.

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Amy G. Johnson

Curator Amy G. Johnson (Isleta, Diné/Navajo) is a curator of collections at the Indian Pueblo Cultural Center, Albuquerque.

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Josephine Kie

Curator Josephine Kie (Laguna) is a daughter, sister, mother, aunt, grandma, and teacher. She is also a traditional and contemporary potter and a multimedia artist.

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Jonathan Loretto (Singer figure)

Curator Jonathan Loretto (Jemez, Cochiti) is a jeweler and potter who is always dedicated to getting work done. He graduated from the Institute of American Indian Arts, Santa Fe, with a degree in Studio Arts with emphasis in Sculpture.

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Monica Silva Lovato (Dough bowl)

Curator Monica Silva Lovato is a fourth-generation traditional potter and a third-generation silversmith from the Pueblos of San Felipe and Kewa/Santo Domingo. A multimedia artist, she focuses on traditional pottery integrated with silverwork to create custom contemporary pieces. Her work explores the concept of trace and the connections across generations, as she aims to begin conversations that will help support young potters on their own journey. She is currently pursuing a BFA in Studio Arts with emphasis in Ceramics from the Institute of American Indian Arts, Santa Fe.

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Monica Silva Lovato (San Felipe cooking jar)

Curator Monica Silva Lovato is a fourth-generation traditional potter and a third-generation silversmith from the Pueblos of San Felipe and Kewa/Santo Domingo. A multimedia artist, she focuses on traditional pottery integrated with silverwork to create custom contemporary pieces. Her work explores the concept of trace and the connections across generations, as she aims to begin conversations that will help support young potters on their own journey. She is currently pursuing a BFA in Studio Arts with emphasis in Ceramics from the Institute of American Indian Arts, Santa Fe.

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Michelle Lowden (Water jar)

Curator Michelle Lowden is the founder and owner of Milo Creations, a company that has grown from creating Acoma-influenced jewelry to offering such products as wool blankets, silk scarves, and graphic work. She is a daughter of the Bear Clan, passed down from her mother, Roberta Charlie, and of the Yellow Corn Clan, passed down from her father, Aaron Lowden. She is fortunate to call her ancestral home, the Pueblo of Acoma (known as Haak’u in Keres), her current home.

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Evone “Snowflake” Martinez (San Ildefonso canteen)

Curator Evone “Snowflake” Martinez (San Ildefonso and Cochiti Pueblos) learned how to make pottery from her aunt Florence Naranjo, mother, Catherine Trujillo, and grandmother Helen Cordero. Much of her inspiration came from watching her grandfather Joe Aguilar work on his pottery and from the advice he gave her in her very early years. Today her work consists of traditional and contemporary styles. Alongside her pottery-making, she is a seamstress, sewing instructor, and teacher.

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Evone “Snowflake” Martinez (San Ildefonso jar)

Curator Evone “Snowflake” Martinez (San Ildefonso and Cochiti Pueblos) learned how to make pottery from her aunt Florence Naranjo, mother, Catherine Trujillo, and grandmother Helen Cordero. Much of her inspiration came from watching her grandfather Joe Aguilar work on his pottery and from the advice he gave her in her very early years. Today her work consists of traditional and contemporary styles. Alongside her pottery-making, she is a seamstress, sewing instructor, and teacher.

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Matthew Martinez

Curator Dr. Matthew J. Martinez/Tsadamuu Tsay (Yellow Turtle Shell) served as First Lieutenant Governor of Ohkay Owingeh and is a writer and educator.

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Claudia Mitchell (storage jar)

Curator Claudia Mitchell is a self-taught Acoma traditional potter who learned from watching her grandmother Lucy, mother, Emma, and aunts Dolores and Carmel.

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Claudia Mitchell (water jar)

Curator Claudia Mitchell is a self-taught Acoma traditional potter who learned from watching her grandmother Lucy, mother, Emma, and aunts Dolores and Carmel.

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Mark Mitchell

Curator Mark Mitchell, a fluent Tewa speaker, served as Governor of Tesuque Pueblo in 2005, 2009, 2011, 2013, 2017, and 2021. When not Governor, he serves as Tesuque’s Tribal Historic Preservation Officer.

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Arlo Namingha

Curator Arlo Namingha (Tewa/Hopi) is an artist, sculptor, jeweler, and printmaker from Polacca, Arizona, and Ohkay Owingeh Pueblo, New Mexico.

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Ehren Kee Natay (Santa Clara figure)

Curator Ehren Kee Natay (Kewa/Santo Domingo Pueblo, Diné/Navajo) is a multidisciplinary artist residing in his hometown of Santa Fe. His principal creative medium is music, and he has been playing percussion since the age of ten. At age twenty-five, he began taking classes in polychrome pottery under the guidance of teacher Shawn Tafoya at the Poeh Cultural Center, Pueblo of Pojoaque. His latest work combines media to create multisensory art experiences.

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Ehren Kee Natay (Ysleta del Sur bowl)

Curator Ehren Kee Natay (Kewa/Santo Domingo Pueblo, Diné/Navajo) is a multidisciplinary artist residing in his hometown of Santa Fe. His principal creative medium is music, and he has been playing percussion since the age of ten. At age twenty-five, he began taking classes in polychrome pottery under the guidance of teacher Shawn Tafoya at the Poeh Cultural Center, Pueblo of Pojoaque. His latest work combines media to create multisensory art experiences.

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Dr. Patricia Marroquin Norby

Curator Dr. Patricia Marroquin Norby (Purépecha) is the first full-time curator of Native American Art at The Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, in the museum’s 150-year history. An award-winning art scholar and museum leader, she previously served as Senior Executive and Assistant Director of the Smithsonian’s National Museum of the American Indian–New York, and as Director of the D’Arcy McNickle Center for American Indian and Indigenous Studies at The Newberry, Chicago.

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Brandon Adriano Ortiz (Taos jar)

Curator Brandon Adriano Ortiz (Taos) is a fan of mud in all forms, a brother, a friend, and a son. He is also a micaceous Pueblo potter and an architecture student.

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Donna Pino

Curator Donna Pino (Tamaya/Santa Ana) is a potter, seamstress of traditional shirts and dresses, embroiderer of kilts, and a teacher of all.

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Shirley Pino

Curator Shirley Pino (Tamaya/Santa Ana) is a mother, grandmother, seamstress, fashion designer, and potter. She is deeply rooted in her culture, and demonstrates her love of and devotion to her community by sharing her knowledge of traditions and cultural practices. She truly cares for all people.

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Elysia Poon

Elysia Poon is Director of the Indian Arts Research Center at the School for Advanced Research, Santa Fe. With two decades of experience in the museum field, she has demonstrated a commitment to collaborative programming and a dedication to community-based collections care throughout her career.

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Ulysses Reid

Curator Ulysses Reid is proud to represent the Pueblo of Zia and all that it stands for: sun symbol, language, culture, and song and dance. He is honored to be part of a long history of potters, and appreciates all who have supported him as an artist.

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Stephanie Riley (Acoma Water Jar)

Stephanie Riley is an Acoma woman, mother, and potter. She is also Registrar for Cultural Projects at the Indian Arts Research Center, School for Advanced Research, Santa Fe.​

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Diego Romero

Diego Romero was born in Berkeley, California, to Santiago and Cornelia Romero, and raised at Comics and Comix. After studying under such notable instructors as Otellie Loloma at the Institute of American Indian Arts, Santa Fe; Ralph Bacerra at the Otis Art Institute of Parsons School of Design, Los Angeles; and Adrian Saxe at the University of California, Los Angeles, he began his career in clay, exploring his reflections on Native identity and history. A self-described half Berkeley boy, half Cochiti man who makes art on the perimeter, he remains a stalwart chronicler of the absurdity of human nature.

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Lynda Romero

Lynda Romero (Pojoaque) is Collections Manager at the Poeh Cultural Center, Pueblo of Pojoaque.

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Gary Roybal (Wedding Jar)

Gary Roybal (San Ildefonso) is a tribal member, former Lieutenant Governor, and War Captain. After twenty-five years with the National Park Service, as a museum technician and curator at Bandelier National Monument, he retired in 2013.

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Russell Sanchez (Terraced Water Jar)

Russell Sanchez (San Ildefonso) is a potter and tribal leader. He is a traditionalist at heart and believes that part of “tradition” is moving forward and not being stuck in the past.

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Russell Sanchez (Storage Jar)

Russell Sanchez (San Ildefonso) is a potter and tribal leader. He is a traditionalist at heart and believes that part of “tradition” is moving forward and not being stuck in the past.

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Monyssha Rose Trujillo (Water jar)

Monyssha Rose Trujillo (Cochiti, Santa Clara, Laguna, Jicarilla, Diné) is an anthropologist and geographer working toward the creation of inclusive spaces for Indigenous people in STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Math). Her work is driven by the desire to expand areas of knowledge through Indigenous teachings and to reclaim narratives of the natural world.

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Monyssha Rose Trujillo (Storyteller figure)

Monyssha Rose Trujillo (Cochiti, Santa Clara, Laguna, Jicarilla, Diné) is an anthropologist and geographer working toward the creation of inclusive spaces for Indigenous people in STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Math). Her work is driven by the desire to expand areas of knowledge through Indigenous teachings and to reclaim narratives of the natural world.

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Brian Vallo (Acoma water jar)

Brian D. Vallo is a member of the Pueblo of Acoma tribe in New Mexico, and served as Governor in 2019–21. He has more than thirty years’ experience working in areas of museum development, cultural resources management, repatriation of ancestors and cultural patrimony, historic architecture preservation, the arts, and tourism. He currently serves as an advisor to the Field Museum, Chicago, and the de Young Museum, San Francisco. A self-taught painter and potter, he is inspired by the natural environment and elements, which he incorporates into his multimedia paintings.

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Brian Vallo (Acoma storage jar)

Brian D. Vallo is a member of the Pueblo of Acoma tribe in New Mexico, and served as Governor in 2019–21. He has more than thirty years’ experience working in areas of museum development, cultural resources management, repatriation of ancestors and cultural patrimony, historic architecture preservation, the arts, and tourism. He currently serves as an advisor to the Field Museum, Chicago, and the de Young Museum, San Francisco. A self-taught painter and potter, he is inspired by the natural environment and elements, which he incorporates into his multimedia paintings.

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Kathleen Wall

Curator Kathleen Wall (Jemez) is an artist, mother, and wife in Jemez Pueblo. She carries on the matrilineal tradition of being a clay artist. Her art, although grounded in ancestral process and techniques, is found at the intersection of traditional and contemporary.

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