L. Stephine “Steph” Poston

My Mother’s Home

I was drawn to this piece in particular because it feels like home. My mother, Santanita Kick (maiden name: Avila), is an avid Pueblo pottery collector of sorts. Her home is adorned with exquisite museum quality pots. From an early age, I admired the carefully acquired pieces she would add to her collection. My mom gravitated to the beautiful Acoma pottery, hence, when I saw Juanita Johnson’s jar in the midst of hundreds of vessels—old, new, and by some of the most acclaimed Pueblo potters—it felt like home.

The black-and-white design, ever so familiar from my mother’s collection, gave me a sense of comfort. Acoma pottery was prized and cherished in my grandmother’s and aunties’ homes. We often use Acoma pottery on special occasions in our home in Sandia village.

The symmetrical geometric painting requires great skill, talent, and creativity, and you cannot help but be in awe of the artist Juanita Johnson—a master potter. While the familiar design of this jar brings me comfort, the unusual incurving rim makes it seem edgy. Some people, including me, might speculate that this is a design flaw that ended up working out. The detail in the fine lines, the beauty of the piece when seen from above, the playful edginess—all would conspire to make this my pick 100 years from now too.