There are two potters from Santa Clara Pueblo named Robert Naranjo. They also both signed their pottery Robert Naranjo. One is Robert T. Naranjo, the other Robert G. Naranjo.

Robert T. Naranjo

Robert T. Naranjo, born in 1957, married Betty Naranjo, the daughter of Elizabeth Naranjo. It seems he mostly makes figurative pottery.

Some Awards that Robert Won

• 2004 Santa Fe Indian Market, Classification II - Pottery, Division H - Non-traditional pottery using traditional materials and techniques with non-traditional decorative elements, Category 1507 - Sgrafitto: Third Place shared with Betty Naranjo
• 2003 Santa Fe Indian Market, Classification II - Pottery, Division H - Non-traditional pottery using traditional materials and techniques with non-traditional decorative elements, Category 1507 - Sgrafitto: Third Place shared with Betty Naranjo
• 2001 Santa Fe Indian Market, Classification II - Pottery, Division H - Non-traditional pottery, any form or design, using traditional materials and non-traditional techniques, Category 1504 - Sets & scenes (includes nativity scene): First Place shared with Betty and Beth Naranjo
• 2000 Santa Fe Indian Market, Classification II - Pottery, Division H - Non-traditional pottery, any forms using non-traditional materials or techniques, Category 1511 - Sets & scenes (nativity scenes): First Place shared with Betty Naranjo
• 1999 Santa Fe Indian Market, Classification II - Pottery, Division G - Non-traditional pottery, new forms using traditional materials or techniques, Category 1408 - Figures (sets of 2 or more pieces): Third Place shared with Betty Naranjo
• 1998 Santa Fe Indian Market, Classification II - Pottery, Division H - Non-traditional any forms using non-traditional materials or techniques, Category 1511 - Sets & scenes (nativity scenes): First Place
• 1997 Santa Fe Indian Market, Classification II - Pottery, Division C - Traditional pottery, carved or incised in the style of San Juan, San Ildefonso, other tribal styles, Category 1007 - Figures: Third Place
• 1997 Santa Fe Indian Market, Classification II - Pottery, Division H - Non-traditional any forms using non-traditional materials or techniques, Category 1511 - Sets & scenes (nativity scenes): First Place shared with Betty Naranjo
• 1996 Santa Fe Indian Market, Classification II - Pottery, Division D - Traditional pottery, painted designs on burnished black or red surface, Category 1105 - Figures, including nativity: Third Place
• 1996 Santa Fe Indian Market, Classification II - Pottery, Division H - Non-traditional pottery, new forms using traditional materials & techniques, Category 1509 - Single Figures, animal and other: Third Place
• 1996 Santa Fe Indian Market, Classification II - Pottery, Division H - Non-traditional any forms using non-traditional materials or techniques, Category 1511 - Sets & scenes (nativity scenes): Second Place shared with Betty Naranjo
• 1995 Santa Fe Indian Market, Classification II - Pottery, Division H - Non-traditional pottery, new forms using traditional materials & techniques, Category 1501 - Sgraffito style w/o stones black or black two tone: Third Place
• 1995 Santa Fe Indian Market, Classification II - Pottery, Division J - Non-traditional, any forms using non-traditional materials or techniques, Category 1606 - Single figures (animal & others): Third Place
• 1995 Santa Fe Indian Market, Classification II - Pottery, Division J - Non-traditional, any forms using non-traditional materials or techniques, Category 1607 - Sets & scenes (nativities & kiva scenes): Second Place shared with Betty Naranjo
• 1995 Santa Fe Indian Market, Classification II - Pottery, Division J - Non-Traditional, any forms using non-traditional materials or techniques, Category 1611 - Sgraffito, w/stone or metal: Second Place
• 1994 Santa Fe Indian Market, Classification II - Pottery, Division H - Non-traditional pottery, new forms using traditional materials & techniques, Category 1507 - Figures (sets of two or more pieces), Second Place
• 1994 Santa Fe Indian Market, Classification II - Pottery, Division J - Non-traditional, any forms using non-traditional materials & techniques, Category 1602 - Jars & vases, painted, Second Place
• 1993 Santa Fe Indian Market, Classification II - Pottery, Division J - Non-traditional, any forms using non-traditional materials or techniques, Category 1607 - Sets & scenes (nativities & kiva scenes, etc.): First Place shared with Rose Pecos-Sun Rhodes
• 1993 Santa Fe Indian Market, Classification II - Pottery, Division K - Pottery miniatures, 3" or less in height or diameter, Category 1710 - Sgraffito, burnished black: Third Place
• 1992 Santa Fe Indian Market, Classification II - Pottery, Division K - Pottery miniatures, 3" or less in height or diameter, Category 1708 - Figures (burnished, painted or unpainted): Second Place
• 1991 Santa Fe Indian Market, Classification II - Pottery, Division J - Non-traditional, any forms using non-traditional materials or techniques, Category 1506 - Single Figures (sets of two or more pieces): First Place
• 1990 Santa Fe Indian Market, Classification II - Pottery, Division H - Non-traditional pottery, new forms using traditional materials and techniques, Category 1406 - Single Figures (animal & other): Second Place
• 1990 Santa Fe Indian Market, Classification II - Pottery, Division J - Non-traditional, any forms using non-traditional materials or techniques, Category 1407 - Sets & scenes (nativities & kiva scenes etc.): Second Place

Robert G. Naranjo

"Sometimes I'll shape the clay the way I want, but it speaks to me. 'Hey Robert, I want to be something else.'"

Robert G. Naranjo was the son of Juan and Mollie Naranjo. He was born in 1943 in Dulce, NM, on the Jicarilla Apache Reservation. His father worked there for the Bureau of Indian Affairs. After Juan retired, the family returned to Santa Clara.

In 1961, when he was 18, Robert joined the US Army for four years. Then he re-enlisted for four more. When he was discharged, he drove oilfield trucks, then logging trucks for a while. He said he finally got tired of changing tire chains in the mud and quit.

That's when his mother suggested he learn to make pottery. His mother and his aunt, Julia Martinez, then began to teach him. Soon he was sharing his booth at Santa Fe Indian Market with his aunt and selling his pieces alongside hers.

Some of the Awards Won by Robert

• 2000 Santa Fe Indian Market, Classification II - Pottery, Division G - Non-traditional pottery, new forms. using traditional materials & techniques, Category 1401 - Sgraffito style without stones, black or black two tone: Second Place
• 2000 Santa Fe Indian Market, Classification II - Pottery, Division G - Non-traditional pottery, new forms. using traditional materials & techniques, Category 1401 - Sgraffito style without stones, black or black two tone: Third Place
• 1999 Santa Fe Indian Market, Classification II - Pottery, Division G - Non-traditional pottery, new forms. using traditional materials & techniques, Category 1401 - Sgraffito style without stones, black or black two tone: First Place
• 1999 Santa Fe Indian Market, Classification II - Pottery, Division G - Non-traditional pottery, new forms. using traditional materials & techniques, Category 1401 - Sgraffito style without stones, black or black two tone: Second Place
• 1999 Santa Fe Indian Market, Classification II - Pottery, Division G - Non-traditional pottery, new forms. using traditional materials & techniques, Category 1401 - Sgraffito style without stones, black or black two tone: Third Place
• 1998 Santa Fe Indian Market, Classification II - Pottery, Division G - Non-traditional pottery, new forms. using traditional materials & techniques, Category 1401 - Sgraffito style without stones, black or black two tone: Second Place
• 1997 Santa Fe Indian Market, Classification II - Pottery, Division G - Non-traditional pottery, new forms. using traditional materials & techniques, Category 1401 - Sgraffito style without stones, black or black two tone: First Place
• 1997 Santa Fe Indian Market, Classification II - Pottery, Division G - Non-traditional pottery, new forms. using traditional materials & techniques, Category 1401 - Sgraffito style without stones, black or black two tone: Third Place
• 1996 Santa Fe Indian Market, Classification II - Pottery, Division D - Traditional pottery, painted designs on burnished black or red surface, Category 1102 - Bowls (up to 6" in diameter): First Place
• 1996 Santa Fe Indian Market, Classification II - Pottery, Division G - Non-traditional pottery, new forms. using traditional materials & techniques, Category 1401 - Sgraffito style without stones, black or black two tone: Second Place
• 1995 Santa Fe Indian Market, Classification II - Pottery, Division E - Traditional pottery, painted designs on burnished black or red surface (in the style of Santa Clara, San Ildefonso), Category 1207 - Miscellaneous: Second Place
• 1995 Santa Fe Indian Market, Classification II - Pottery, Division K - Pottery miniatures, 3" or less in height or diameter, Category 1712 -Sgraffito, all other: Second Place
• 1994 Santa Fe Indian Market, Classification II - Pottery, Division E - Traditional pottery, painted designs on burnished black or red surface (in the style of Santa Clara, San Ildefonso), Category 1202 - Bowls (up to 6" in diameter): First Place
• 1993 Santa Fe Indian Market, Classification II - Pottery, Division D - Traditional pottery, carved, Category 1106 -Figures: Third Place
• 1992 Santa Fe Indian Market, Classification II - Pottery, Division E - Traditional pottery, painted designs on burnished black or red surface (in the style of Santa Clara, San Ildefonso), Category 1206 -Figures: First Place
• 1991 Heard Museum Guild Indian Fair & Market, Classification VIII - Pottery, Division A - Traditional Construction & Firing Methods: Honorable Mention. Awarded for artwork "Seed Pot"
• 1990 Santa Fe Indian Market, Classification II - Pottery, Division D - Traditional pottery, carved, Category 1008 - Miscellaneous, including canteens: Third Place
• 1990 Santa Fe Indian Market, Classification II - Pottery, Division E - Traditional pottery, painted designs on burnished black or red surface, Category 1103 - Bowls (up to 8 inches in diameter): Second Place
• 1989 Santa Fe Indian Market, Classification II - Pottery, Division D - Traditional pottery, carved, Category 1003 - Bowls (up to 8 inches in diameter): Third Place
• 1989 Santa Fe Indian Market, Classification II - Pottery, Division E - Traditional pottery, painted designs on burnished black or red surface, Category 1109 - Miscellaneous: Second Place

Santa Clara Pueblo

Ruins at Puye Cliffs, Santa Clara Pueblo

Santa Clara Pueblo straddles the Rio Grande about 25 miles north of Santa Fe. Of all the pueblos, Santa Clara has the largest number of potters.

The ancestral roots of the Santa Clara people have been traced to ancient pueblos in the Mesa Verde region in southwestern Colorado. When that area began to get dry between about 1100 and 1300 CE, some of the people migrated eastward, then south into the Chama River Valley where they constructed several pueblos over the years. One was Poshuouinge, built about 3 miles south of what is now Abiquiu on the edge of the Jemez foothills above the Chama River. Eventually reaching two and three stories high, and with up to 700 rooms on the ground floor, Poshuouinge was occupied from about 1375 CE to about 1475. Drought then again forced the people to move, some of them going to the area of Puye (on the eastern slopes of the Pajarito Plateau of the Jemez Mountains) and others downstream to Ohkay Owingeh (San Juan Pueblo, along the Rio Grande). Beginning around 1580 CE, drought forced the residents of the Puye area to relocate closer to the Rio Grande and they founded what we now know as Santa Clara Pueblo on the west bank of the river, with San Juan Pueblo to the north and San Ildefonso Pueblo to the south.

In 1598 the seat of Spanish government was established at Yunque, near San Juan Pueblo. The Spanish proceeded to antagonize the Puebloans so badly that that government was moved to Santa Fe in 1610, for their own safety.

Spanish colonists brought the first missionaries to Santa Clara in 1598. Among the many things they forced on the people, those missionaries forced the construction of the first mission church around 1622. However, like the other pueblos, the Santa Clarans chafed under the weight of Spanish rule. As a result, they were in the forefront of the Pueblo Revolt of 1680. One Santa Clara resident, a mixed black and Tewa man named Domingo Naranjo, was one of the rebellion's ringleaders. However, the pueblo unity that allowed them to chase the Spanish out fell apart shortly after their success, especially after Popé died.

When Don Diego de Vargas came back to the area in 1694, he found most of the Santa Clarans on top of nearby Black Mesa (with the people of San Ildefonso). A six-month siege didn't subdue them so finally, the two sides negotiated a treaty and the people returned to their pueblos. However, successive invasions and occupations by northern Europeans took their toll on all the tribes over the next 250 years. Then the swine flu pandemic in 1918 almost wiped them out.

Today, Santa Clara Pueblo is home to as many as 2,600 people and they comprise probably the largest per capita number of artists of any North American tribe (estimates of the number of potters run as high as 1-in-4 residents).

Today's pottery from Santa Clara is typically either black or red. It is usually highly polished and designs might be deeply carved or etched ("sgraffito") into the pot's surface. The water serpent, (avanyu), is a very common traditional design motif on Santa Clara pottery. Another motif comes from the legend that a bear helped the people find water during a drought. The bear paw has appeared on much of their pottery ever since.

Santa Clara has received a lot of distinction because of the evolving artistry the potters have brought to their craft. Not only did this pueblo produce excellent black and redware, several notable innovations helped move pottery from the realm of utilitarian vessels into the domain of art. Different styles of polychrome redware emerged in the 1920s-1930s. In the early 1960s experiments with stone inlay, incising and double firing began. Modern potters have also extended the tradition with unusual shapes, slips and designs, illustrating what one Santa Clara potter said: "At Santa Clara, being non-traditional is the tradition." (This refers strictly to artistic expression; the method of creating pottery remains traditional).

Santa Clara Pueblo is home to a number of famous pottery families: Tafoya, Baca, Gutierrez, Naranjo, Suazo, Chavarria, Garcia, Vigil, and Tapia - to name a few.