Tafoya, Margaret (1904–2001)

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Tafoya, Margaret (1904–2001)

Tewa folkartist. Name variations: Corn Blossom. Born Maria Margarita Tafoya, Aug 13, 1904, in Santa Clara Pueblo, near Santa Fe, New Mexico; died Feb 25, 2001, in Santa Clara Pueblo; dau. of Sara Fina Gutierrez Tafoya, known as Autumn Leaf (Tewa potter), and Geronimo, known as White Flower; had 7 siblings, 4 of whom were also potters; m. Alcario Tafoya (professional cook), 1924; children: 6 daughters, 3 sons.

Earned a global reputation for her black-on-black and red-on-red pottery; was the matriarch of the Santa Clara Pueblo potters; named folk artist of the year by National Endowment for the Arts (1984).

See also Mary Ellen and Laurence Blair, Margaret Tafoya: A Tewa Potter's Heritage and Legacy (Schiffer, 1986).