About the Artist

(1904-2001) The Tewa potter, born at Santa Clara Pueblo is often referred to as the matriarch of Santa Clara potters. She learned pottery at a young age from her mother, Sara Fina Tafoya.

The Wheelwright Museum in Santa Fe honored her with a retrospective exhibit in 1983. The same year, her work was displayed at the Denver Museum of Natural History and the Colorado Springs Fine Art Center. In 1994, Tafoya was elected Folk Artist of the Year by the National Endowment for the Arts as a Master Traditional artist who has contributed to the shaping of our artistic traditions and to preserving the cultural diversity of the United States. She received the Governor of New Mexico’s award for Outstanding Achievement in the Arts in 1985.

Margaret Tafoya A Tewa Potter’s Heritage and Legacy by Mary Ellen and Laurence Blair was published in 1986. A second volume Born of Fire The Life and Pottery of Margaret Tafoya was penned and photographed by Charles King of the King Galleries in Scottsdale, Arizona.  Tafoya is cited in the book Pueblo Indian Pottery 750 Artist Biographies by Gregory Schaaf. She is also included in Dillingham's Fourteen Families in Pueblo Pottery as well as many other books about Pueblo pottery.