San Juan Pottery

San Juan Pueblo is the name the Spaniards gave to the people of Ohkay Owingeh, a name which means “Place of the Strong People.” Although pottery made here is still commonly known as San Juan pottery by collectors and historians, the people prefer to use their traditional Ohkay Owingeh tribal name. The contemporary era of San Juan pottery began in the 1930s, when pueblo resident Regina Cata organized a group to revitalize pottery production. These potters studied prehistoric pottery from the area as a basis for their pottery works. Today, potters from San Juan Pueblo produce skillful etched or carved redware and polychrome pottery as well as three-dimensional figures.