Melissa Antonio

Artist Profile

Melissa Antonio, member of the Red Corn Clan and the Sun Clan, was born into the Acoma Pueblo in 1965. She was raised in the traditional way and was taught to respect the Mother Earth, all its creatures, and the clay that it provides. She sparked an interest in becoming an artisan by observing her mother, Lillie Concho, at the age of 12. Lillie taught Melissa the process of gathering clay, preparing the clay and making natural colors from other natural pigments. By the time Melissa was 23, her skills had improved and her art reflected her experience as a fine artisan.

Melissa specializes in hand coiling the traditional black on white eye dazzler patterns. Her pottery is constructed by methods used by her ancestors. Melissa will accent her pottery by adding a kokopelli band down the side of her pottery on occasion. She signs her pottery: M.C. Antonio, Acoma.