Marcellus and Elizabeth Medina, Zia Pueblo Potters

Elizabeth and Marcellus Medina are a husband-and-wife team who produce pottery at Zia Pueblo. Marcellus is a native of Zia Pueblo, the son of Sofia and Rafael Medina. Elizabeth is originally from Jemez pueblo. When she married Marcellus in 1978, she moved to Zia and received permission from Zia elders to make pottery in the Zia style. Her teacher was Sofia Medina, her new mother-in-law. Because she has been at Zia Pueblo and has made pottery in the Zia style most of her adult life, Elizabeth Medina (b1956) is referenced as a Zia potter and most properly so. When the pair are working together, Elizabeth creates the pots and Marcellus Medina (b1954) handles the design, often using acrylic paints but sometimes using traditional mineral and vegetal paints.

TAGS: Sofia Medina, Rafael Medina, Jemez Pueblo, Zia Pueblo, Marcellius Medina, Southwest Indian Pottery