22-0188 Santa Clara Pueblo Pottery, Nativity Figures
Late 20th century
2 piece set by Dorthy & Paul Gutierrez. Figures of Mary and Jesus and Donkey being let by a Figure of Joseph, 5.5x3.5 + 4.75x3.75. Signed on the bottom.
Dorothy and Paul Gutierrez
Santa Clara Pueblo
From a Private Colorado Collection
Excellent Condition
Dorothy (Corn Maiden) and Paul (White Corn) Gutierrez were both born in 1940, he into Santa Clara Pueblo, she into the Navajo Nation. Paul's grandparents were Lela and Van Gutierrez, his father Luther (of Margaret and Luther Gutierrez). Paul began working with clay around the age of twelve while Dorothy first touched clay in day school. They were married in 1965 and had two sons, Gary and Paul, Jr.
Dorothy and Paul specialize in storytellers, mudheads, angels, animals, ornaments and nativities, in black and red. They were among the first at Santa Clara to make nativities.
They work as a team with Dorothy forming the figures and Paul doing the polishing and finish work. They follow the traditional methods from the first gathering of the clay through processing it, forming the pieces, polishing, defining further, then firing, praying every step of the way. As Paul once said, "They come out different each time, with different faces. It's nice." Their creations range from miniatures to about 6 inches tall. Some of their nativities have up to 17 figures.
Dorothy and Paul earned multiple First and Second Place ribbons at shows like the Eight Northern Pueblos Arts & Crafts Show, Santa Fe Indian Market, Heard Museum Guild Indian Art Fair & Market and the Gallup InterTribal Ceremonials.