Ada Suina

Cochiti Pueblo

Born into Cochiti Pueblo in May, 1930, Ada Cordero Suina loved making nativities and storyteller figures, preferably with lots of children attached. An older cousin, Helen Cordero, is credited with creating the first ceramic storyteller. Ada said she learned the details of the Cochiti way to make pottery from another cousin: Virginia Naranjo.

Ada was considered the preeminent storyteller and nativity artist at Cochiti for many years. Ada's younger sister is Stephanie Rhoades, the inventive ceramic figure-maker also known as Snowflake Flower.


Seven children on a grandmother storyteller
Grandmother storyteller with seven children
9 in H by 10.25 in Dia
Singing Drummer
Singing Drummer figure
9.25 in H by 7.5 in Dia
Four children on a grandmother storyteller
Grandmother storyteller with four children
8.5 in H by 8.25 in Dia
Grandfather storyteller figure with 12 children
12 children on a grandfather storyteller figure
9 in H by 9.75 in Dia
Singing grandfather drummer figure
Singing grandfather Drummer figure
9.25 in H by 9.5 in Dia
Five children on a grandmother storyteller
Grandmother storyteller with five children
7 in H by 7.5 in Dia
8 children on a grandmother storyteller, earned 3rd place ribbon at the New Mexico State Fair in 1981
Grandmother storyteller figure with eight children, earned a 3rd Place ribbon in 1981 at the New Mexico State Fair
8.5 in H by 9.75 in Dia
8 pieces in a nativity set
A Nativity set with 8 pieces
6.25 in Dia by 6 in H
Measurement of the largest piece

Cochiti Pueblo Potters