Susan Folwell, Santa Clara Pueblo Potter

Santa Clara Pueblo artist Susan Folwell uses traditional clay and firing techniques creating unique contributions in her designs and pottery forms. She creates compositions with symbols from many Indian cultures. Susan's work has global appeal.

Susan Folwell, (1970- ) Mesa Flower, grew up in a pottery making family. Her grandmother is Rose Naranjo her mother Jody Folwell and her sister is Polly Rose Folwell. Susan recalled "As a child, I helped my mom. Honestly, it was a chore." Susan loved art but did not plan to be a potter. She studied design and fine arts photography at the Center of Creative Studies in Detroit, MI. She found that it did not give her the artistic freedom she wanted. So, she returned to the clay. Now she takes pride in being an independent artist.

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

TAGS: Santa Clara Pueblo, Rose Naranjo, Jody Folwell, Polly Rose Folwell, Contemporary Pottery