Grace Chapella - White Squash Blossom, Hopi-Tewa Potter

Grace Chapella (1874-1980), a distinguished Hopi-Tewa potter of Hopi Pueblo, is celebrated for her distinctive pottery creations, many of which draw inspiration from the ancient Sikyatki ruins. Notably, the butterfly or moth design has become synonymous with her work and is now recognized as a hallmark of the Chapella family legacy, continued by her daughter Alma Tahbo, granddaughter Deanna Tahbo, and great-grandson Mark Tahbo. Though commonly referred to as Hopi pottery, the works from First Mesa, including Chapella's, are technically Hopi-Tewa, reflecting the Tewa clans residing in Hano Village. Chapella, a contemporary and neighbor of Nampeyo, credited the renowned potter with imparting essential pottery-making techniques.

Born in the Tewa village of Hano on First Mesa, Chapella, or "White Squash Blossom," lived through a period of profound transformation. Born just a decade after the Civil War and witnessing the establishment of the Hopi Reservation, she experienced the advent of modern technology, including the first horseless carriage and her own pioneering flight in 1927. Living to the remarkable age of 107, Chapella witnessed the evolution of Hopi life from a time before trading posts and tourism to a period of burgeoning demand for Pueblo pottery.

TAGS: Hopi Reservation, Contemporary Pottery, Nampeyo of Hano, Alma Tahbo, Mark Tahbo