Española, New Mexico 87532, United States
Daryl Whitegeese
Biography
Mr. Whitegeese is the son of noted potter Lu Ann Tafoya, and the grandson of Margaret Tafoya, the Matriarch of Santa Clara Potters. Daryl came to pottery-making initially by helping his mother with the strenuous physical demands of the pottery process: digging for clay and volcanic ash, bringing horse manure from a nearby stable and firing the pottery. In return, Lu Ann gave Daryl the gift of making Tafoya family pottery.
Daryl began making pottery in 2002 and has committed himself to creating classic Santa Clara-style pottery. He creates traditional pottery in which each vessel is coil built, stone polished and native fired. He has built his reputation on reviving historic shapes and designs in his pottery; he also has a distinctive style of carving. The surfaces of his pieces have a mirror-like, high luster finish. Among the numerous awards he has won for his pottery are: Santa Fe Indian Market in 2003 and 2006 the Indian Arts Fund Award for “Excellence in Traditional Arts”. “Best of Division” 2006, 2011 and 2014. In 2014, 2015 and 2019 "Best of Classification Pottery" at the Heard Museum Indian Market. In 2016 "Best of Traditional Pottery” at the Eiteljorg Museum Market in Indianapolis.
Born in March of 1964 and raised in Colorado Springs, Co. Daryl Studied Electronic Engineering and Computer Systems Management and had a 14-year career with Digital Equipment Corporation. He left DEC to return to Santa Clara Pueblo, in his family are his two daughters Tina and Samantha, Granddaughter Amelia and Orion his Big Puppy/Service Animal.
Mr. Whitegeese is one of the most highly regarded artisans of Santa Clara Pueblo pottery today.
08/23