Laura Gachupin

Jemez Pueblo

in 1954

Laura Gachupin was born into a family of Jemez Pueblo artists in 1954. Her sister is Maxine Toya, her mother was Marie Romero and her grandmother was Persingula Gachupin. Marie Romero was one of the potters who really started the revival of pottery making at Jemez in the 1970s.

Laura grew up learning the traditional way of making pottery from her mother and grandmother. However, pottery making at Jemez had almost totally died off so there was no Jemez traditional shape or portfolio of designs. After graduating from high school, she went on to study at the Institute of American Indian Arts in Santa Fe. Laura built on her mother's work and today is one of the inspirations of new generations of Jemez potters.


Traditional designs on a polychrome jar
Polychrome jar with traditional designs
5 in H by 7.5 in Dia
Polychrome owl effigy
Polychrome owl effigy
3.25 in H by 3.75 in Dia
Carved base on a polished wedding vase
Polished wedding vase with carved base
10.5 in H by 7.25 in Dia
Ten pieces in a nacimiento
Nativity with ten pieces
6 in H by 3 in Dia
Measurement of largest piece
Owl figure
Polychrome owl figure
2.75 in H by 3 in Dia
Polychrome owl figure
Polychrome owl figure
6 in H by 9 in Dia
Polychrome Jemez owl figure
Sculpted polychrome Jemez owl
3.25 in H by 4.75 in Dia
2-piece nativity set
Singing Joseph and Mary figures
8.5 in H by 3 in Dia
Measurement of larger piece
Miniature tan melon jar
Tan miniature melon jar
1.25 in H by 1.25 in Dia
Miniature polychrome Jemez owl figure
Miniature polychrome Jemez owl
1.5 in H by 2 in Dia
Singing Joseph and Mary figures
Joseph and Mary figures singing
8.75 in H by 3.75 in Dia
Measurement of larger piece
Corn plant, spiral, feather and geometric design on a golden micaceous polychrome jar with an organic opening
A golden micaceous polychrome jar with an organic opening and a corn plant, spiral, feather and geometric design
11.75 in H by 10 in Dia
A polychrome Singing Angel
A Singing Angel figure
3.25 in Dia by 9 in H
A carved melon design on a tan jar with a polished red neck
A tan jar carved with a melon design and with a polished red neck
11.5 in Dia by 9.25 in H

Jemez Pueblo Potters