Sara Fina Tafoya

Sara Fina Guitierrez Tafoya was widely regarded as one of the most outstanding Tewa Pueblo Potters of her time (1863-1949.) Sara Fina was known for her simple modestly adorned large scale pottery often finished in the traditional Black on Black style made famous by Maria Martinez.  Her defining trademark is that of a bear claw, deeply imprinted on the side of the pot.  Hand building such large scale pieces and having them survive a firing is a feat in it’s own, even to this day.  Pueblo pottery is often a passed down art form, taught from generation to generation. When Sara Fina Married Geronimo Tafoya I doubt she could have known that she would be passing down her Artistry and beautiful sensibility to a multitude of generations of what would be well known Contemporary Native Artists; Margret Tafoya, LuAnn Tafoya, Tammy Garcia, Nathan Youngblood, and others.