Christopher Nieto

Artist Profile

Christopher Nieto was born into the Santo Domingo Pueblo in 1972. Born and raised in Santa Fe, Nieto graduated from the Santa Fe Indian School where he took silversmith classes for 3 years. In 1990 he enlisted in the U.S.Army and was sent to Desert Storm in 1991. Through the U.S. Army, Nieto obtained his degree in culinary arts. In 1993, Nieto was discharged to pursue a cooking career. In 2002, he ended his culinary pursuit and instead decided to focus on jewelry making. Nieto is self taught in lapidary work and learned his heishi work from his parents. “I use only natural materials from throughout the U.S. and worldwide,” Nieto said.