Autumn Borts-Medlock

Santa Clara potter Autumn Borts-Medlock grew up watching her grandmother and mother making pots. She the great-granddaughter of Christina Naranjo, grandaughter of Mary Cain, daughter of Linda Cain, and sister of Tammy Garcia. She spent her childhood living in Santa Clara with summers in Los Angeles and began learning potter when she was five. As a child she would sculpt small post, clay animals, and nativitiy scenes under the guidance of her mother and grandmother. As she matured, her shapes and designs did as well. Borts has won awards at both the Heard Museum Indian Fair and Market and the Santa Fe Indian Market. She is known for intricately carved designs that frequently incorporate elements inspired by nature and multiple colors. Her work is in museum collections including the Denver Art Museum and Smithsonian National Museum of the American Indian.