Juanita Shije

Native American, b. 1929

Juanita Shije is a Zia Pueblo potter, born Acoma Pueblo in 1929. Shije has altered the traditional form of olla vessels, rounding out the convex walls and creating a much larger opening to the jar than is typically seen. Juanita Shije is unusual among Zia potters for her use of greenware, or shaped clay that has not been bisque fired and is still pliable when the surface decoration is applied.