Jemez Pueblo

Geraldine F. Sandia is a full blooded Native American Indian. She was born into the Jemez Pueblo in 1950.

Geraldine began experimenting with clay at the age of 10. She was inspired to learn and continue the long lived tradition of working with clay from her mother, Cecilia Loretto. Cecilia taught Geraldine all the fundamentals and shared with her all the special techniques of a master pottery artist. The lucrative aspect of the business was also inspiration for her to become an artist.

Geraldine specializes in handmade, hand painted two toned polychrome, stone polished traditional Jemez pottery. She gathers her clay from within the hills of the Jemez Pueblo. She breaks the clumps of clay down to a fine powder form and mixes with water and other natural pigments. Then, Geraldine begins forming the clay to the desired shape and size by the hand coiling method. Once the pot is dry she sands her formed pottery to the desired weight.

She hand paints patterns of feathers and geometric designs among many other patterns. She fires her pottery outdoors, the traditional way of her ancestors.

She is related to the following artists: Caroline G. Loretto, Mary H. Loretto (sisters), Florence Aragon, Rachael Aragon (aunts), Natalie Sandia, Rachael Sandia, and Jocelyn Sandia (daughters).

She signs her pottery as: G. Sandia, Jemez.

Awards:
-Santa Fe Indian Market consecutively since 1980
-Heard Museum 1st, 2nd & 3rd since 1980

Publications:
-Southern Pueblo Pottery 2,000 Artist Biographies
-Southwestern Pottery Anasazi to Zuni