Russell Sanchez

Russell Sanchez (b. 1963) continues to be one of the master innovators in Pueblo pottery.  He creates each piece perfectly hand-coiled, stone polished, then etched, inlaid, designed, and fired with traditional Native American pottery methods.  Russell learned to make pottery from his great-aunt, noted potter and pottery matriarch Rose Gonzales (1900-1989.) He started making pottery at the early age of 12 years old on the San Ildefonso Pueblo.

Russell has received numerous awards and recognition for his pottery throughout his career, including such distinctions as ‘Best of Division’ at both the Santa Fe Indian Market and the Heard Indian Market.  In 2007, Native Peoples Magazine presented Russell’s art in the feature article of the Fall issue.  In 2011, Russell was awarded the exclusive ‘Tony Da Award’ for Pottery in Santa Fe. Russell recently received the ‘New Mexico Governor’s Award for Excellence in Art 2017.  In 2019, he won “Best of Pottery” at Santa Fe Indian Market.  At the same time, he was involved in a major exhibition of historic San Ildefonso pottery at the Museum of Indian Arts and Culture in Santa Fe, NM.  In 2022, he won Best of Pottery and Best of Show at the Santa Fe Indian Market.  His work remains on a continued path of excellence and creativity.