Sophie Cata

Santa Clara Pueblo

Sophie Cata (Eagle Feather Basket) was born into Santa Clara Pueblo in 1957. By the time she was six years old, her grandmother, Flora Naranjo, and mother, Frances Salazar, had taught her the fundamentals of making pottery the traditional way.

Today, Sophie lives at San Juan Pueblo but specializes in handmade traditional Santa Clara pottery, both red and black. Among her favorite design elements are kiva steps, cloud elements, water serpents, bear paws and feather designs. Sophie usually signs her pottery: Sophie Cata Santa Clara Pueblo.