Loretta Garcia

Loretta Garcia, “U-Wi-Nit”, was born into the Acoma Pueblo in 1956. She was inspired and encouraged to learn the art ofpottery making by her Mother, Marie Torivio. Marie taught Loretta all the fundamentals of pottery making, the traditional way, from start to finish. She was also economically motivated to make her pottery.

Loretta specializes in hand coiled traditional pottery. She gathers her clay from a sacred ground within the Acoma Pueblo. Loretta soaks the clay, cleans, sifts, mixes, hand coils,shapes, paints, and fires her pottery, the traditional way, outdoors, with pottery shards and manure. She hand coils many different shapes and sizes of pottery. She paints geometrical and traditional designs on her pottery. Loretta also paints on ceramic pottery. Loretta says, “I am proud to be able to continue the tradition, that my ancestors began many years ago. It brings peace to my mind knowing that I am contributing to their legacy.” Loretta signs her pottery as: L. Garcia, Acoma.

Loretta is related to the following artists: Nelda Lucero (sister) and Leslie Garcia (daughter).