Zia Pueblo

Sofia Medina and Lois Medina are a mother and daughter team which with combined efforts produce some of the finest Zia Pueblo pottery around today. Sofia was born in 1932 and Lois was born in 1959. Sofia has been making pottery since 1963.

Trinidad Medina, who was a prolific and one of Zia’s finest potter’s, taught her all the fundamentals of making traditional Zia pottery and encouraged her to continue the long lived family tradition of hand coiling pottery.

Sofia and Lois specialize in making hand coiled Zia pottery just like their ancestors before them. All the materials used on their pottery come from within the Zia Pueblo. The clay is gathered from the grounds within the pueblo. They clean, mix, hand coil, shape, paint, and fire the pottery the traditional way, outdoors. The colors are derived from natural plant life and minerals also found within the Zia Pueblo. They both contribute equally while constructing their pottery. Trinidad encouraged Sofia to teach each and every one of her children the art of hand coiling traditional Zia pottery, so they may be able to contribute to the legacy which is bestowed upon them as well.

Sofia & Lois said, “Spiritually, making pottery eases your mind, and we sing and pray while making our pottery.”

They sign their pottery as: Sofia Medina-Lois Medina, Zia.

They are related to Marcellus Medina and Herman Medina (sons/brothers).

Publications:
-Southern Pueblo Pottery 2,000 Artist Biographies
-Fourteen Families in Pueblo Pottery
-Southwestern Pottery Anasazi to Zuni
-Talking with the Clay
Awards:
-Santa Fe Indian Market
-New Mexico State Fair
-Eighth Northern Arts & Crafts Show
Collections:
-Albuquerque International Airport
-Smithsonian in Washington, D.C.