Adelle Lalo-Nampeyo
Adelle Nampeyo is a member of the famous Nampeyo family. Her pots are hand coiled and painted in traditional methods and with Nampeyo designs. They are signed by Adelle along with her hallmark corn stalk.
Adelle was born into the Hopi-Tewa Nation in 1959. She has been an active potter since 1970. She learned the art of pottery making from her mother (Elva Tewagunal, 1926-1985) and grandmother (Fannie Polacca, 1900-1987). Adelle uses the traditional Nampeyo patterns on all her pottery.
She is one of the great granddaughters of the famous "Nampeyo of Hano" known for reviving and expanding the beautiful ancient style of pottery called Sikyatki.
All of her materials are from Mother Earth. Adelle hand coils all of her pottery the traditional way. She finishes her pottery by polishing it with polishing stones,
painting the designs with brushes made of yucca, and then firing the pottery in an outdoor firing pit, smothered with sheep dung.
Adelle specializes in the handmade traditional ancient Sikyatki polychrome pottery for which her family is famous. She enjoys making seed pots most of all and her favorite design is the fine line and eagle tail. Adelle’s strong spiritual beliefs drive her to continue making pottery the traditional way. She now teaches her children the art of her ancestors so they can continue in her footsteps.
