Dorothy Loretto Trujillo, Cochiti Pueblo Potter

Artist Dorothy Trujillo made Cochiti-style pottery, although she was born to a Laguna mother and a Jemez father. Amazingly, at the early age of 10, she was making pottery figurines. This is when she attended the San Diego Mission School and learned pottery making during summer vacations from her mother and grandmother. When Dorothy married Onofre Trujillo, she moved to Cochiti Pueblo and earned permission to use Cochiti clay.

Her husband's aunt, Damacia Cordero, taught her to do Cochiti-style pottery. Dorothy began making Storytellers before 1970. Two years later, she began making Nativities (Nacimientos). Dorothy shared her pottery-making knowledge with others. She had taught at least three people, including two of her own daughters. Her Storytellers may have only one or over 40 babies. One of her Storytellers is on exhibit at the Smithsonian Institution, Museum of Natural History, Washington, D.C.

Dorothy Loretto Trujillo (1932 - 1999) was Water Clan, and active in pottery making circa 1950-90s.  She was known for her polychrome jars, bowls, Storytellers, Nativities, figurines, sculptures, and jewelry.

Reference: Southern Pueblo Pottery: 2,000 Artist Biographies by Gregory Schaaf.

Relative Links: Laguna, Jemez, Storyteller figurines, jewelry, Cochiti Pueblo, Damacia Cordero

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