Although Alvina has become known for her intricate sgraffito etched pottery, she is equally adept at carving and polishing. This gorgeous vessel has a broad shoulder and a narrow pedestal. She has carved and polished dozens upon dozens of perfectly straight melon ribs all the way around. The top is features a contrast red clay slip with her signature corn stalks adjacent to a kiva-step lip. This one is a show stopper!

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Artist Bio:

Alvina Yepa was born into the Sun Clan at Jemez Pueblo on August 4, 1954, to Nick and Felipita Yepa.

Alvina has been a recognized Jemez potter for more than 20 years. She does both melon jars and sgraffito carved jars, and often a combination of these two styles. Sgraffito is a technique of carving designs in a fired pottery piece, using sharp tools such as dental picks. This technique is particularly painstaking, since one slip and the pottery's design is ruined.

She learned pottery from her mother, Filipita Yepa. She has won major awards at all of the larger Indian crafts shows, including Santa Fe Indian Market, Eight Northern Pueblos Show, Heard Museum Show, and the Inter-tribal Indian Ceremonial in Gallup. Marcella Yepa is her niece and protege. Both are members of the Jemez Sun Clan.