Firing Pottery: The Youngblood/Lugo/Tafoya Family of Santa Clara Potters - Epi. 410 Hosted by Dr. Mark Sublette

***The Youtube version of this podcast is recommended due to the visual nature of the recording.***I think one of the greatest and sacred things that you can experience is the firing of Pueblo pottery and I was very fortunate to be able to witness a firing right before the 2026 Santa Fe Indian Market. It was a very famous family of pottery makers too. The family includes Christopher Youngblood, Joseph Youngblood, and Sergio Lugo (who ends up winning Best of Show just a few days after we filmed this firing) and they are all brothers. We also got to speak to the amazing Jennifer Tafoya, (who's married to Chris Youngblood) who won Best of Show three years ago. In fact, Chris's mother, Nancy Youngblood, also won Best of Show in the past (though we didn't get to see her this time around) which makes this one of, if not the most decorated family of potters in the history of Indian Market. It's very obviously a great line of pottery makers, and they all stand on their own. They're all terrific artisans with their own specialties and it's so interesting to watch what's really involved in doing a firing. First of all, it's a dangerous thing to do the way with the constant smoke and flames. It can take decades to really get to the point where you can be a master at firing. It's a truly sacred event. You'll see it. I mean, they literally make blessings to the pottery that they are firing. This is the kind of thing I love to do. It's important to me. It feels important as I'm asking them questions and documenting the process. So if you want to watch experts of their craft do what they do best, watch the Youngblood/Lugo/Tafoya family fire two very important vessels in this special presentation of a firing at their home.