Sofia Medina

Zia Pueblo

The daughter of Juanita Pino, Sofia Pino (1932-2010) married Rafael Medina (1929-1998) in 1948. In the beginning they lived with his grandmother, Trinidad Medina, and Sofia learned to make Zia pottery from her.

Sofia was an excellent potter, using only natural materials and pigments on her pieces. Her husband, though, would sometimes add some acrylic painting to pottery after it was fired.

Sofia earned numerous awards for her pottery at juried competitions such as Santa Fe Indian Market. Her work can be found in museums such as the Peabody Essex near Boston, School for Advanced Research in Santa Fe, and the Heard Museum in Phoenix.

Sofia also taught her children, Marcellus, Samuel and Lois the art of making traditional pottery the ancient way. She collaborated with Lois for many years.