Phyllis Johnson
Maricopa Sun
2 1/2"
H x 3" D
Sometime prior to the mid
1500's, the people known as the Maricopa today started their
long migration from the lower Colorado River and ended up at
their present location at the confluence of the Gila and Salt
Rivers around 1850.
In 1937 to 1940, Maricopa
Pottery experienced a revival due to the encouragement of Elizabeth
Hart. Elizabeth Hart was a United States Home Extension Agent
that noted that the previous pottery pieces (1912 to 1937) showed
a decline in craftsmanship.
The vessels were poor quality,
lopsided and/or lumpy clay, with unevenly spaced designs. The
pieces of this time period were a product of tourism, a demand
for a cheap low-quality souvenir. On Elizabeth Hart's urging
and by the leadership of one of the top potters of the time:
Ida Redbird, Maricopa pottery started receiving publicity and
support from local museums.
The improved product, thin
walled and symmetrical allowed the potters to increase their
earnings. Through this revival the "Maricopa Pottery Cooperative"
developed, with Ida Redbird as the president of 17 to 19 other
Maricopa potters. At Hart's urging, it was at this time that
the potters also started signing their wares for individual recognition
and credit.
So, any Maricopa pottery piece
that has a signature and/or hallmark was made somewhere between
1937 to present. A vessel that has no signature and/or hallmark
was either made prior to 1937 OR the potter forgot to sign the
piece.Pottery Making Relatives:
Mother: Vesta Bread
Mother -in-law: Mabel Sunn
Daughter: Avis Cerna Pinon
Granddaughter: Antoinette Pinon
Students:
Keven Matthew Stevens
Comments: Phyllis taught pottery
classes in the mid-1990's at the Hoo-Hoogam-Ki Museum
