“Apache Crown Dancer Pot”
by Shelden Nunez-Velarde, Jicarilla Apache
Alternate Views
Shelden Nunez-Velarde
Photo by Lana Tupponce
Description: Traditionally fired pot of micaceous clay.
About this Award: Awarded for high quality in craftsmanship and vision in the use of clay. All pottery and figurative clay objects are eligible.
Jurors’ Comments:
White Swann: First of all I like the shape of the pot. The cleanness, the speckling that gave it a little texture, and the maidens on there are very nicely done. It looks like designs found on rocks. And the gracefulness of the dragonflies.
Ryan Huna Smith: The pot’s a nice simple shape. I like the designs, which remind me of designs in Hopi quilt-making. Nice pot.
Gerald Dawavendewa: I like the design, and the cylinder style. You don’t see that style on a lot of pottery. The imagery is great; each figure has its own special detail that makes it, even though they’re similar, they’re all very different—even the changes in the style of the dragonflies, where some of them are very strong and crisp, and others have almost a rock-carving effect. The overall splatter is a great addition to it.