About the Artist

(1898-1992) The story of Lucy M. Lewis' long life is chronicled by Susan Peterson in her book, Lucy M. Lewis American Indian Potter(1984).

Nicely you are sharing in the experience of Lucy in the course of preparing her clay, forming her pottery, painting the designs to the completion of a firing.This artist largely taught herself pottry making. An innovative artist, Lucy divided her efforts between fine line black on white design added to traditional forms and her polychrome work.

Her polychrome decoration enhanced both traditional forms and sculpted animals and birds. She was one of the first of her generation to pursue making miniature pottery as well. One of the earliest blue ribbons was awarded to Lucy's pottery in 1950 at the 29th Intertribal Indian Ceremonial at Gallup, New Mexico. Her awards and prizes continued throughout her career.

A solo exhibition honoring her work was staged in 1975 at the Museum of North Orange County at Fullerton, California. In 1983 she received a Woman of Achievement award at the Northwood Institute in Houston, Texas. Any museum collecting American Indian pottery of the 20th century is proud to include her work in their collections.

An extra special way to experience Lucy Lewis, Emma Lewis Mitchell and Delores Lewis Garcia is by obtaining a video titled "Daughters of the Anasazi". 

"Filmed on location in New Mexico in 1990, a detailed examination of the techniques is presented as Emma and Delores explain each step as well as the significance of pottery to their lives.  Grinding the raw clay and old pot shards, mixing the clay, forming the bowl, building the coils, scraping and polishing, applying the white slip, painting and outdoor firing--all are revealed in this video!!!"