Robert Patricio

Acoma means "People of the White Rock". Situated on the mesa hundreds of feet high, the pueblo  has been lived in for more than 900 years. Most people today live in one of the lower villages. Robert Patricio was born on Acoma Pueblo in 1976 and began working with clay and making pots as a boy. He learned from watching others in the pueblo tradition.

Made from a slate like clay from the surrounding area, Acoma pottery is know for it's thin-walled construction. Robert follows in the traditions of his ancestors, collecting the clays, hand coiling his pots, mixing his paints from herbs and vegetables gathered. His designs are a variation on those shapes and patterns found on ancient pottery and shards from area.

Prized for their delicate structure, fine hand-painted designs and traditional methods, Robert Patricio's pots have received great acclaim. Most recently he was awarded Best in Pottery Class at the 2010 Santa Fe Indian Market.