Luteria Atencio, Ohkay Owingeh Potter

Ohkay Owingeh artist Luteria Atencio was one of the original seven potters in the 1930s "San Juan Revival." She was joined by Curcita Trujillo, Tomasita Montoya, Crucita A. Talachy, Gregorita Cruz and Regina Cata. Flora Cata and her husband, Demecio Cata also were making revival style, polychrome redware by the end of the 1930s.

Jonathan Batkin published a photogragh of an incised olla signed Luteria Atencio, circa 1935, in the Taylor Museum, Colorado Springs, CO. This jar was based on the prehistoric type, Potsuwi'i Incised. The pot featuresincised designs of concentric diamonds on a micaceous slip. No white or buff pigments were added. The pot displays a high shoulder and a short neck. In 1968, she helped Geronima Montoya found the O'ke Oweenge Crafts Cooperative, as an outlet for artwork produced by local artists. They were assisted by Jackie Jones, Crucita Talachy, Geronima Abeyta and others.

In 1976, she taught her great-grandson, Roy Tanner, how to make potter. Shorly after that, she became blind. Roy described Luteria Atencio (1910-1980s?) as "one of the best traditional pottery makers in the Southwest."

Reference: Pueblo Indian Pottery: 750 Artist Biographies by Gregory Schaaf.

Relative Links: Tomasita Montoya, Regina Cata, Roy Tanner, Southwest Indian Pottery, San Juan Pueblo, Contemporary Pottery

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