Joy Cain

Santa Clara Pueblo

Elizabeth Joy Cain was born in 1947 to Mary and Bill Cain of Santa Clara Pueblo. Mary Cain, daughter of Christina Naranjo, was a well-established potter and her kids grew up surrounded by some of the finest traditional potters on Earth. She taught all her knowledge and techniques to her daughters and the children and grandchildren of many other people in Santa Clara.

Joy makes blackware and redware jars, bowls and wedding vases. Her favorite design to carve is the avanyu.


An avanyu design carved into a black jar
Polished black storage jar carved with avanyu design
7 in H by 9.25 in Dia

Santa Clara Pueblo Potters