Evelyn Cheromiah, Laguna Pueblo Potter

The Evolution of Pottery Production in Laguna Pueblo: A Tale of Adaptation and Survival

In the early 20th century, the traditional art of pottery production at Laguna Pueblo experienced a significant decline. This shift was largely influenced by the socio-economic changes sweeping across the community. Men began to find employment with the burgeoning railroad industry, bringing a steady flow of cash income into their households. This newfound financial stability reduced the necessity for women to engage in pottery production as a means of supplementing their family's income.

As a result, the women of Laguna Pueblo found themselves no longer needing to create pottery for sale to tourists. Instead, they turned to their neighbors at Acoma Pueblo, purchasing pottery for household use. This exchange not only fostered a sense of community but also allowed the women to focus on other aspects of their lives.

By the mid-20th century, the employment landscape had further evolved with both men and women finding work in the uranium mines on the pueblo. This development further diminished the need for pottery production, either for sale or personal use.

This narrative of Laguna Pueblo's pottery production is a testament to the community's resilience and adaptability in the face of changing times. It underscores the dynamic nature of cultural practices and their interplay with socio-economic factors.

Evelyn Cheromiah (1928-2013) was an exception. She was one of the few to continue making pottery. In the 1970s, she received a Federal Grant to teach pottery making to others at the pueblo, thus sparking a revival in pottery production at Laguna. Still, today, there are only a few potters there. Evelyn continued, in all ways, to make pottery in the traditional manner. She collected her own clay, used potsherds for temper, used mineral and vegetal paints for the designs, and fired in the traditional outdoor firing. Evelyn passed this on to her daughters Lee Ann Cheromiah, Mary Cheromiah-Victorino and Wendy Cheromiah.

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

TAGS: Laguna Pueblo, Lee Ann Cheromiah, Mary Cheromiah-Victorino, Modern Pueblo Pottery