Maxine Toya

Jemez Pueblo

Maxine Toya

Maxine was born in April 1948, into a prominent family of potters on Jemez Pueblo: grandmother Persingula Gachupin, mother Marie G. Romero and sister Laura Gachupin. Later came daughters Dominique and Camilla Toya, all of whom were and are respected, prize-earning artists.

Marie learned from some of the best potters in Jemez Pueblo and began producing pottery herself in 1971. In addition to being an award-earning potter, Maxine has also had a distinguished career as an educator in the Jemez Pueblo school system.

Her repertoire as an artist includes matte, polychrome and polished redware storytellers, nacimientos (nativity scenes), Corn Maidens, clay sculptures, figures, miniature kivas and owls, plus textiles, prints, paintings and writings.

She signs her pottery as: "Maxine Toya, Jemez", followed by the corn symbol to denote her Corn clan heritage.