Thomas Natseway

Thomas Natseway

Born in April 1953, Thomas Natseway is a traditional potter from Laguna Pueblo. When he was working as a journalist in the early 1980s he interviewed Charmae Shields, a potter from Acoma Pueblo. They fell in love and were soon married. Thomas moved to Charmae's home at Acoma and Charmae and her mother, Ethel Shields, both well respected and award-winning Acoma potters, taught him how to make pottery the traditional way.

Thomas began making his miniature creations in the early 1980s. His works range in size from one-quarter to one and one-quarter inch in height and diameter. Each vessel is made from Laguna clay dug from a deposit some distance from the pueblo.

At first he was decorating his miniatures with traditional Acoma fine-line designs but after doing some research into old Mimbres, Anasazi, Hohokam, and Sikyatki (Hopi) motifs he got very interested in recreating those prehistoric designs. He also sometimes incorporates designs from contemporary pueblo pottery.

Awards Thomas has Earned:

• 1999 Santa Fe Indian Market 2nd Place
• 1998 Santa Fe Indian Market 1st & 2nd Place
• 1996 Santa Fe Indian Market (3) 2nd Place
• 1995 Santa Fe Indian Market Best of Class
• 1993 Santa Fe Indian Market 1st, 2nd, & 3rd Place
• 1992 Santa Fe Indian Market 2nd & (2) 3rd Place
• 1991 Santa Fe Indian Market (2) 1st & (2) 2nd Place
• 1989 Santa Fe Indian Market 1st & (2) 2nd Place