Elva Tewaguna Nampeyo, Hopi-Tewa Potter

Hopi Pueblo artist Elva Tewaguna Nampeyo was exceptional and her pottery is rare as there are not many of her wares on the market. Elva always used the Sikyatki revival designs made famous by Nampeyo of Hano. Her favorite was the migration pattern. She certainly was one of the exceptional potters of her generation and her work never deteriorated later in her life when she became ill.

Elva Tewaguna Nampeyo (1926-1985) was a granddaughter of Nampeyo of Hano and daughter of Fannie Nampeyo.  She was the mother of a family most of whom also became potters.  Her daughters were Miriam, Adelle, and Neva and her son was Elton.  Elva's siblings were also potters.  They were Leah, Harold, Tonita, Tom, Ellsworth, and Iris.

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