Belen Tapia

Santa Clara Pueblo

Belen Tapia (1914-1999) was a niece of Serafina Tafoya and first cousin of Margaret Tafoya. She was active making pottery from about 1935 to 1995. She is classed as an innovator of polychrome redware, famous for her polished redwares, redwares carved with geometric designs and polychrome geometric designs such as feathers, avanyu, kiva steps and terraced clouds. Her pottery took on the forms of animals, wedding vases, melon jars, plates, cylinders, vases and engagement baskets.

Belen also taught the traditional methods to her daughters: Anita Suazo and Anna Archuleta and they have gone on to become award-earning potters.