The Pueblo of Jemez is a federally recognized tribe located in north-central New Mexico, approximately 50 miles northwest of Albuquerque. We are one of the remaining 19 pueblos of New Mexico, encompassing over 89,000 acres of land and home to over 3,400 tribal members. The people of Jemez cherish their ancestral traditions, and are proud to integrate their culture with modern society.

Artist: Lupe Lucero

Jemez - laguna Pueblo

Leonora Lupe Lucero-Loretto, “Sun Flower”, is a full blooded Native American Indian. Lupe was born in 1943. She is half Jemez and half Laguna.

She began making her pottery sculptures at the age of 34. Lupe was inspired to make pottery by her sister, Dorothy Trujillo.

Lupe specializes in the handmade humorous Koshari storytellers, but does not limit herself to that. She also hand coils nativity's and other clay sculptures.

She gathers her own clay, sand, and other natural pigments from the hills within the Jemez pueblo, then, she cleans the clay, mixes sand with clay together, and begins to hand coil her sculptures. Lupe also paints her art with the natural colors that she hand mixes as well, and finally, she fires her art the traditional way, outdoors. She add corn stalks to add a bit of flare to her work.

Lupe signs her pottery as: L Lupe L Lucero.

Lupe is also related to the following artists: Alma Concho, Marie Loretto, Fannie Loretto, and the late Mary Toya (all sisters).

Awards:
-New Mexico State Fair 1st Place

Publications:
-Southern Pueblo Pottery 2,000 Artist Biographies
-The Pueblo Storyteller
-Storytellers and Other Figurative Pottery