Carla Claw Nampeyo, member of the Snow Clan, was born in 1975 into the Hopi-Tewa Reservation. Carla is one of the granddaughters of the famous “Nampeyo”.She learned the art of working with clay in 1984. Thomas Polacca was the greatest influence in pointing Carla in the right direction of the traditional Hopi ways. Thomas taught Carla all the fundamentals of traditional pottery making. The lucrative aspect of the business was also a great inspiration to her.
Carla specializes in handmade traditional and contemporary styled pottery. She gathers all of her materials, like natural pigments, from the grounds within the Hopi Reservation. She cleans, mixes, hand coils, shapes, sands, paints and fires her own pottery. On her contemporary pottery she uses a sharp object to carve out kachinas, warriors, clowns, and traditional designs. Carla, finally, polishes her masterpieces with a sacred stone which is passed down to her from other artisans, which is a valuable gift to be honored with. Carla signs her pottery as: Carla Nampeyo, Hopi.
Fannie Polacca (grandmother), Iris Youvella (aunt), Nolan Youvella (cousin), Gary Polacca (brother), and Adelle Lalo-Nampeyo are among some of the finest potters that Carla is related to.
