Naomi Eckleberry

In 1981 Victor moved to Santa Clara Pueblo where he observed his aunts (Mary Cain and Mida Tafoya) making pottery. Nonetheless, he considers himself largely self-taught. Naomi was born in Los Angeles (1961) to a non-Indian father and a Santa Clara mother (Patricia Fuentes). She moved to Santa Clara in 1984, met Victor, and they started potting together. She was taught by her brother Lorenzo Fuentes. Victor and Naomi form their pots independently as each has special shapes. Naomi designs the pots but Victor carves them. Then Naomi does the polishing and Victor the firing. Truly a collaborative effort. : They won two First Places at the most recent Picuris show. More information is available in the Fourteen Families book page 236.