Marilyn Ray is a member of
the Yellow Corn Clan and was born in 1954 into the Acoma Pueblo.
She began experimenting with clay at the age of 12. Marilyn was
inspired to learn the art of working with clay from observing
her grandmother, the late Dolores S. Sanchez. She had mastered
all the fundamentals by the age of 18 and has established herself
as one of the finest Storyteller makers working today.
She gathers her clay and other
natural pigments from within the Acoma Pueblo. The clay and sand
is prepared by drying, grinding, and sifting before it is mixed
with water to produce the medium (weight of clay). The clay sculptures
are then hand molded, air dried, and painted. Finally, they are
fired outdoors, the traditional way. The colors used on her sculptures
are also provided from plants and minerals.
Marilyn’s claim to notoriety
started with the completion of a large storyteller in 1979. The
following year she won an honorable mention award for a nativity
set at the New Mexico State Fair. Today Marilyn’s storytellers
are considered collector’s items. They are featured in several
books and magazines including “Storytellers and other figurative
Pottery” by Douglas Congdon-Martin. She has won numerous
awards at the Santa Fe Indian Market.
Marilyn combines her skills
in both traditional pottery making and figurative work. She signs
her sculptures as: Marilyn Ray, Acoma, N.M. followed by a hand
drawn lizard. She is related to: Rebecca Lucario, Judy Lewis,
Diane Lewis, Carolyn Concho (sisters), Katherine Lewis (mother),
and Sharon Lewis (sister in law).
