Helen Gutierrez, San Ildefonso Pueblo Pottery

San Ildefonso Pueblo artist Helen Gutierrez learned her pottery making from her mother Isabel M. Montoya. Helen's painting on pottery was always exceptional. She was very talented in forming a pottery vessel, polishing it, painting the design, and achieving a good firing.

Helen Gutierrez (1930-1995?) is from a famous family of artists. Her brother, Gilbert Atencio, was one of the most honored painters. Helen's painting on pottery is exceptional. Helen is the granddaughter of Nicolassa Peña Montoya and Juan Cruz Montoya; daughter of Atencio and Benjamin Atencio; niece of Rayita Montoya, Santana Montoya, Afedo Montoya; sister of Gilbert Atencio, Tony Atencio, Pat Atencio, Angelita Atencio Sanchez; wife of Frankie Gutierrez; mother of Frank Gutierrez, Jr, Geraldine Gutierrez, Carol Gutierrez, George Gutierrez, Rose Gutierrez and Kathy Naranjo Gutierrez. After her marriage, she lived at Santa Clara Pueblo and there was where she raised her family.

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

Relative Links: San Ildefonso Pueblo, Gilbert Atencio, Isabel M. Montoya Atencio, Geraldine Gutierrez, Southwest Indian Pottery