Jacob Myron Koopee, Hopi Pueblo Potter

From early in his pottery making career, award-winning Hopi Pueblo artist Jacob Koopee used traditional Nampeyo family design patterns. His pottery is still very collectible.   

In the mid-1990s, he signed his pottery Jake Nampeyo. Later, he made traditional pottery vessel shapes but modernized the designs to those related to the Sikyatki-revival designs. He signed the later pieces Koopee.

Jacob Myron Koopee was born at Hopi Pueblo in 1970. His career was eclipsed when he passed away in the summer of 2011 at just 41 years old. He was the grandson of Marie Koopee, great-grandson of Nellie Douma Nampeyo (1896-1978) and great, great grandson of Nampeyo of Hano. He was at the height of his career and had received many awards for his outstanding work. He was regarded as one of the finest contemporary Hopi potters. His is a great loss to collectors of fine Pueblo pottery.

Relative Links: Southwest Indian Pottery, Hopi Pueblo, Contemporary Pottery, Nellie Douma Nampeyo, Nampeyo of Hano

Text and Artist Photo Reference: Hopi-Tewa Pottery: 500 Artist Biographies [1st ED/1st Print:] by Gregory Schaaf.  Artist Photo by Tom Tallant.

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