Acoma Pueblo

 

Deborah Aragon, “Shri’My To Wi”, was born into the Pueblo of Acoma in 1963.

She began learning the art of pottery making at the age of 15. Deborah was inspired to continue the family tradition of making her pottery by her grandmother, the late Helen R. Vallo. Deborah often observed Helen’s hand coiling and painting techniques using traditional using all natural pigments.
Deborah specializes in contemporary stone polished and etched Horse Hair Pottery, otherwise known as “Greenware” or unfired pottery. Deborah randomly throws authentic horse hair on her pottery while its still hot and then, she removes the hair and she polishes her pottery with a stone. She also etches animals and geometric patterns on her pottery free hand. Her style of pottery has a unique Grey shaded color in comparison to the other horse hair pottery available today. She signs her pottery as: D. Aragon, Acoma.

Deborah is related to the following artists: Rose Chino, Grace Chino, and Helen Vallo (grandmothers). Michael and Robyn Romero (Brother-in-Law and Sister).

Awards:
-1999 New Mexico State Fair 2nd Place
-1998 New Mexico State Fair 3rd Place

Publications:
-Southern Pueblo Pottery 2,000 Artist Biographies