Petra Gutierrez was the matriarch of a family of renowned potters.  She was married to Juan Isidro Gutierrez.  Juan was a son of Pascualita Tafoya and the brother of Lorencita Tafoya, Celestina Tafoya, Dolorita Tafoya, and Barbarita Tafoya.  Petra was the mother of noted potters Gloria “Golden Rod” Garcia, Thelma Talachy, Lois Gutierrez, and Minnie Vigil.  Her grandchildren include Jason Garcia and Debra Duwyenie.  Petra began making pottery in the 1940s, learning from her mother-in-law.  This is a piece of her pottery from the 1950s.  It is a red polished open bowl with braided handles.  It is patined with various colors of clay slips to create the cloud and sun design.  These particular colors of blue and pink were typical at Santa Clara during this time period.  The piece is signed on the bottom, “Petra” and it is in very good condition with no chips, cracks, restoration, or repair.

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Vigil, Minnie (1931-2024)

Minnie Vigil was a daughter of Petra Gutierrez and a sister to noted potters Gloria Garcia (GoldenRod), Thelma Talachy, and Lois Gutierrez. Her son Tim "Sunbird" Vigil and daughters Annette Vigil Luhan and Bernadette "Bernie" Vigil, also made pottery in the 1980s.  Minnie was known for her polychrome pottery and the use of numerous clay slips to create the colors.  She signed her piece, "Minnie".  She has won numerous awards at events such as Santa Fe Indian Market.