Acoma Pueblo Small Olla Pottery By Shawna Garcia Rustin

Late 20th Century

3" H x 3.25" D

Hand Coiled with a Cream Field and a Fine Painted Black Geometric Design  

From a Private Colorado Collection

In Very Good Condition

Shawna (or Shana) Garcia-Rustin is a respected Acoma Pueblo potter known for exceptionally thin-walled, hand-coiled pottery, often described as "eggshell" thin and lightweight. She was born December 31, 1969, into the Red Corn Clan (and Sun Clan) at Acoma Pueblo, New Mexico. She learned traditional pottery-making from her parents, Elliott and Beatrice Garcia. 

She frequently collaborated with her then-husband, Patrick Rustin (Apache from San Carlos Reservation), on pieces signed "S. Garcia - Rustin," "Garcia-Rustin," or similar. Together, they produced award-winning work known for fine-line designs, traditional motifs (like rain, lightning, clouds, and Tularosa swirls), and delicate execution. They won multiple awards at the New Mexico State Fair, including Best of Show. They are noted for some of the thinnest hand-coiled Acoma pottery. 

The couple later separated (over a decade ago), so collaborative pieces now primarily come from existing collections.