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Native American Pottery
by Leonidas Tapia
Native American Artist Leonidas Tapia
Leonidas Tapia (c 1916-1977) was a Native American Artist who specialized in Native American Pottery. She is from Ohkay Owingeh, New Mexico, United States and was married to Jose Blas Tapia. Together they had two children, a daughter Mary Trujillo (b. 1937) and a son Tom Tapia (b. 1946).
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Leonidas Tapia made traditional San Juan redware bowls, jars and wedding vases. She also made micaceous pottery. Some of the designs she incorporated into her pottery included the water serpent, kiva steps and clouds. Leonidas participated in the Santa Fe Indian Market from 1970-1976.
Native American Pottery Continues
Leonida’s craftsmanship has not been lost. Her son, Tom Tapia, learned to make pottery by working with his mother and has continued the Native American Pottery tradition with the sgraffito style and has won numerous awards for his pottery. He also makes pottery with his wife Sue Tapia.
Leonida’s daughter, Mary Trujillo, married Helen Cordero’s son, Leonard, from Cochiti Pueblo. She learned to make storyteller figures from her mother-in-law Helen who was the first and most famous maker of Cochiti storytellers and has won numerous awards.