Sofia Medina
Zia Pueblo
Zia Water
Vase
7 1/2"
H x 8 1/2" D
Sofia Medina and Lois Medina
are a mother and daughter team which with combined efforts produce
some of the finest Zia Pueblo pottery around today. Sofia was
born in 1932 and Lois was born in 1959. Sofia has been making
pottery since 1963.
Trinidad Medina, who was a
prolific and one of Zia’s finest potter’s, taught her
all the fundamentals of making traditional Zia pottery and encouraged
her to continue the long lived family tradition of hand coiling
pottery.
Sofia and Lois specialize
in making hand coiled Zia pottery just like their ancestors before
them. All the materials used on their pottery come from within
the Zia Pueblo. The clay is gathered from the grounds within
the pueblo. They clean, mix, hand coil, shape, paint, and fire
the pottery the traditional way, outdoors. The colors are derived
from natural plant life and minerals also found within the Zia
Pueblo.
They both contribute equally
while constructing their pottery. Trinidad encouraged Sofia to
teach each and every one of her children the art of hand coiling
traditional Zia pottery, so they may be able to contribute to
the legacy which is bestowed upon them as well.
Sofia & Lois said, “Spiritually,
making pottery eases your mind, and we sing and pray while making
our pottery.” They sign their pottery as: Sofia Medina-Lois
Medina, Zia.
They are related to Marcellus Medina and Herman Medina (sons/brothers).
Awards:
-Santa Fe Indian Market
-New Mexico State Fair
-Eighth Northern Arts & Crafts Show
Collections:
-Albuquerque International Airport
-Smithsonian in Washington, D.C.
Publications:
-Southern Pueblo Pottery 2,000 Artist Biographies
-Fourteen Families in Pueblo Pottery
-Southwestern Pottery Anasazi to Zuni
-Talking with the Clay
