Roxanne Swentzell

born 1962 Santa Clara, New Mexico; lives Santa Clara, New Mexico

BiographySanta Clara potter, Roxanne Swentzell was born in 1962. Her mother is Native American from Santa Clarita Pueblo and her father is of German descent. Roxanne grew up in Santa Fe, New Mexico traveling along the Rio Grande River from Taos, Santa Clara, and Santa Fe, staying near her mother's side of the family. She is a granddaughter of Rose Naranjo, a niece of Nora Naranjo-Morse, Michael Naranjo, and Jody Folwell. She is part of one of the most innovative families at Santa Clara Pueblo. Her talent was recognized early and she was given the opportunity to spend two years at the Institute for American Indian Arts in Santa Fe before graduating from high school. She then went on to the Portland Museum Art School. Roxanne has won numerous awards for her work, along with being the subject of several museum exhibitions and books, such as "Women Potters: Transforming Traditions". Roxanne's first public exhibition was at Santa Fe Indian Market in 1984. In 1994, she won the Santa Fe Indian Market Creative Excellence in Sculpture award. Her sculptures have been shown at the White House and are currently shown in many museums and galleries. A few of her collections include works at the Smithsonian, Cartier in Paris, and Santa Fe Convention Center.

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