Vernida Polacca Nampeyo, Hopi-Tewa Potter

Vernida Polacca Nampeyo: A Legacy of Hopi/Tewa Pottery

Vernida Polacca Nampeyo, born in 1955, is a renowned artist from the Hopi/Tewa Kachina Clan. She has been actively contributing to the world of art since 1979. Her signature creations are seed jars, beautifully adorned in black and red on yellow, and black and red on white.

Vernida is not just an artist, but a living legacy. She is the great-granddaughter of the legendary Nampeyo, and the granddaughter of Fannie Polacca Nampeyo. Her parents, Harold Polacca and Alice Polacca, raised her alongside her siblings: Clinton Polacca, Diana Polacca, Clement Polacca, Harold Polacca Jr., Reva Polacca Ami, and Marvin Polacca.

As a mother, she passed on her artistic passion to her children, Heidi, Michael, and Jeremy. Her grandmother, Fannie Nampeyo, played a pivotal role in shaping Vernida's artistic journey, serving as her mentor and guide.

Vernida continues to honor her family tradition by practicing the Sikyatki revival pottery designs. These designs were made famous by Nampeyo of Hano and have become a symbol of the family's artistic heritage. Through her work, Vernida Polacca Nampeyo keeps the legacy alive, adding her unique touch to the timeless tradition of Hopi/Tewa pottery.

Reference: Hopi-Tewa Pottery: 500 Artist Biographies by Gregory Schaaf.

TAGS: Hopi/Tewa, Fannie Polacca Nampeyo, Clinton Polacca, Nampeyo of Hano