P801 Jemez Nativity
Jemez Nativity set by Jemez potter Judy Toya. The thirteen piece set consists of Joseph, Mary, Baby Jesus, 3 Wise Men, one Shepherd, three sheep, one cow, and a donkey with an adobe background. The figures are approximately 3" tall.
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About the artist
Judy Toya
Judy Toya was born to Mary E. Toya and Casimiro Toya at Jemez Pueblo in 1953. A member of the Water Clan, she says she learned the art of traditional pottery making from her well-known mother as she grew up, but almost everyone in the family is a potter and they all share techniques and clay sources with each other.
Judy has been creating storytellers and nativity sets since 1972. Among the well-known artists she is related to are: aunt, Fannie Loretto, Mary Ellen Toya, Anita Toya, Henrietta Toya Gachupin, Vernida Toya, Yolanda Toya Toledo and Melinda Toya Fragua. Her family has been featured in Native Peoples Magazine and Albuquerque Arts Magazine.
Judy Toya is the daughter of Mary E. Toya whose handmade pottery nativities are in the Smithsonian and museums across Europe. After Mary died, Judy took on her mother's work and style and now Judy is best known for her storytellers and her one-of-a-kind nativity sets, Christmas ornaments and friendship pots.
Her delightful faces are all with open round mouths. The wise men carry indian corn, a pot and a plate. There is an adobe wall behind with an angel in front of a star. Each piece is 4" high and the wall is approx. 9" wide by 7" high.
Her favorite pieces to make are male storytellers (she has many fond memories of her grandfather telling her stories of her people's past when she was young). She also says she gets her inspiration from the clay: when she puts her hands in it the clay speaks to her of shapes to make and designs to paint.
Judy has passed her pottery-making knowledge on to her daughter, Myra Toya, in hopes that she will help the Jemez pottery tradition continue to grow and flourish.
Over the years Judy has participated in shows at:
… the Heard Museum in Phoenix
… the Southwest Indian Art Fair in Tucson
…the SWAIA Santa Fe Indian Market
She has taken home a 1st Place ribbon from the Santa Fe Indian Market for a nativity set and a 3rd Place ribbon for one of her storyteller figures.
