Beautiful Zia Pottery by Sofia Medina in Sanford, FL

This is a beautiful pot made by Sofia Medina from the Zia Pueblo in New Mexico. Sofia is a well known potter. She was born in 1932 and began making pottery in 1963. She was taught by one of Zia's finest potters, Trinidad Medina. Trinidad encouraged her to continue the family tradition of hand coiling pottery. All the materials come from within the Zia Pueblo. The clay is gathered there and then they clean, mix, hand coil, shape, paint and fire the pottery the traditional way - outdoors. The colors come from natural plant life and minerals found in the Pueblo. Some of Sofia's favorite designs on her pots include