Judy Toya Storyteller

This authentic Jemez Storyteller by Judy Toya was crafted in the 1990s. It depicts a mother holding her child as she passes on stories in the oral tradition. The figure stands approximately 4 1/2" tall. It is signed by the artist. Judy Toya was born in 1953 and is an award winning Jemez potter from New Mexico. Judy Toya (Waquie) was born into the Water Clan at Jemez Pueblo and has been making pottery since 1972. She won a first place ribbon at the 2000 Santa Fe Indian Market. She is the daughter of renowned storyteller artist, Mary E. Toya, and the niece of Jemez maskmaker, Fannie Loretto, and storyteller potters, Lupe Lucero and Alma Concha. Judy's traditional Jemez storytellers are popular at Santa Fe Indian Market. Judy uses all natural materials-she digs the clay from the Jemez Pueblo, uses natural slips and fires her pottery outdoors. She specializes in storytellers and nativity sets. Her storytellers have become a favorite of collectors.