Dolores Curran

Dolores Curran was born and raised on the Santa Clara Pueblo, the daughter of famous potters, Ursulita and Alfred Naranjo, and the granddaughter of Marie Suazo. A graduate of the University of Albuquerque under a BIA scholarship, she worked as a bookkeeper for the State of New Mexico for 3 years. After marrying her husband Alvin from the San Juan Pueblo and giving birth to their daughter Ursula, Dolores went back to pottery.

She credits a friend of several great Pueblo potters with giving her encouragement and suggestions. Well known for her white on red pieces as well as traditional black etched pots, Dolores uses the traditional elements of design like the water serpent or avanyu, feathers, clouds and kiva steps. Precise miniatures, some barely an inch high are highly sought after. Much of her work is done on consignment or sold before it is even completed.

In the mid-1980's Dolores' husband Alvin resigned his position as Chief of Police on the Pueblo and joined his wife in making pottery. Today they often work together, sharing clay, slip and firing sessions and even collaborate on pots.