Tina Garcia
Santa Clara
Redware Bear
Paw
8 1/4"
H x 9 1/4" D
Tina was born in Oregon in
1957 and moved to Santa Clara Pueblo at the age of 5. Growing
up, she watched her mother, Lydia Garcia; grandmother, Severa
Tafoya; and aunt, Angela Baca, make black pottery. She started
potting herself at the age of 11 and showed much early talent
which was encouraged by her mother.
In 1980, Tina decided to make
pottery for a living. She went to the School of American Research
to study their collections and after careful consideration decided
to focus on classic traditional shapes without the carving typical
of Santa Clara pottery.
All of her materials are provided
for her from elements of the earth. She gathers her own clay,
cleans, mixes, shapes, coils, and fires her pottery the traditional
way, outdoors. Her pottery shows remarkable gift for form, and
her polish is of superior quality.
Today, Tina continues to produce
only the finest quality of pottery, and her capability of making
large pieces are a success. They range from 20” to 25”
in height and diameter.
Tina has worked with many
prestigious pottery demonstrations and has assisted in producing
a video along with Bruce Hucko for the Wheelwright Museum in
Santa Fe, N.M. about traditional pottery in our current era.
She is one of the finest potters
working in this undecorated style. She has won numerous awards
with the following some of the highlights:
Santa Fe Indian Market
Best of Division 1986
Best of Division 1996
First Places virtually every year The Katherine and Miguel Otero
Award for Excellence in Any Category 1995.
Publications:
-Southwestern Potttery: Anasazi
to Zuni
-Pueblo Indian Pottery: 750 Artist Biographies
