Nancy Youngblood was born in 1955 to Mela (Tafoya) and Walton Youngblood. She learned pottery making from her mother, an artist recognized for her distinctive style, and her grandmother, Margaret Tafoya, the matriarch of Santa Clara pottery.  

Nancy was recognized early in her career for her signature swirl pots that have deep ridges and beautifully polished surfaces. She is a perfectionist as well as an artist.  Santa Clara tradition as well as her own family tradition provide the foundation for her pottery, upon which Nancy innovates. This culminates in pottery that has fresh design and high quality, as is evident in this pot.

Nancy concentrated on making miniature pots for many years, ever-perfecting her style. This pot has 16 ribs, all of which are packed into a pot with only a 2.75" diameter. The height of 4" allowed for the swirls to move. Amazing.

Museum Collections: Nancy's pots are in the permanent collections of the Cleveland Museum of Art and the National Museum of Women in the Arts.

Awards (please go to http://www.nancyyoungbloodinc.com/awards.html for full listings): These include the Gallup inter-tribal Ceremonial - 4 awards; Santa Fe Indian Market winner for 29 years, including "Best of Show" in 1989;  Santa Fe Rotary Foundation, 1997, "Distinguished Artist Award"

Featured Shows and Exhibits: Art of Clay, Timeless Pottery of the Southwest by Lee Cohen, 1993; Pottery by American Indian Women, the Legacy of Generations by Susan Peterson, 1997 (Exibit at same name at the National Museum of Women in the Arts in Washington, DC in October 1997. There are many more...