Kathleen Collateta

Hopi

Kathleen Collateta was born into Jemez Pueblo, daughter of Hopi kachina carver Tom Collateta Sr. and Antonita Collateta of Jemez in 1969. As a teenager she began learning to make traditional pottery with her grandmother, Sara Collateta. She learned to mold and shape her pieces with Jemez clay. Then Sara taught her all the details of Jemez designs.

These days, Kathleen digs her clay at Hopi and uses mostly Hopi designs. Her favorite design is the parrot, with plenty of feathers: "The birds take our prayers up to the higher spirit," she says.

Because there are two Kathleen Collateta's making pottery, she signs her works K. Collateta with a sun symbol above her name (as she is a member of the Jemez Sun Clan). She usually works together with her husband, Adrian Sandia. She has taught all of their kids how to make pottery, too.


Bird element and geometric design on a polychrome jar
Polychrome jar with bird element and geometric design
5.5 in H by 13 in Dia
Bird element and shard design on a polychrome wedding vase
Polychrome wedding vase with bird element and shard design
12.75 in H by 8 in Dia
Red and black rainbird design on a yellowware wedding vase
Yellowware wedding vase with red and black rainbird design
12.5 in H by 7.25 in Dia
Red and black bird element and shard designs on a yellowware wedding vase
Yellowware wedding vase decorated with red and black bird element and shard designs
10.5 in H by 5 in Dia
Red and black bird element and geometric design on a yellow ware wedding vase
Yellow ware wedding vase decorated with a red and black bird element and geometric design
13 in H by 6.25 in Dia
Long-haired kachina and geometric design on a long neck vase with a kiva step cut opening
A kiva step cut opening on a long nck vase decorated with a long-haired kachina and geometric design
7.75 in H by 5.75 Dia

Hopi Potters