[Congressional Record Volume 164, Number 133 (Friday, August 10, 2018)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1141]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         TRIBUTE TO HELEN BIRD

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                      HON. MICHELLE LUJAN GRISHAM

                             of new mexico

                    in the house of representatives

                        Friday, August 10, 2018

  Ms. MICHELLE LUJAN GRISHAM of New Mexico. Mr. Speaker, I rise today 
to congratulate Helen Bird of Santo Domingo Pueblo in New Mexico for 
her role in the Pueblo Pottery Mug project and her success as a Native 
artist.
  The Pueblo Pottery Mug project started as a collaboration between 
five Pueblo artists and the first Pueblo-owned Starbucks in New Mexico. 
The mugs were first sold in 2016 at the Starbucks store in Albuquerque. 
Each mug was hand-crafted by a different Pueblo artist to celebrate the 
opening of the new store and to symbolize the collaboration between New 
Mexico Pueblos and Starbucks. After quickly selling out of the unique 
mugs--selling over 6,000 mugs--the Shumakolowa gift shop collaborated 
with the artists to sell mugs at their location in the Indian Pueblo 
Cultural Center.
  Growing up in the Pueblo of Santo Domingo, Helen learned traditional 
pottery techniques from her great-aunt at a very young age and has been 
making pottery professionally for nearly 30 years. Widely credited as 
being a profoundly influential figure in revitalizing Santo Domingo 
pottery, Helen sought to elevate it to an exquisite art form.
  Helen's designs come from her Santo Domingo heritage. Her elegant 
pieces are well known for their signature bird designs from pottery 
found in the Bandelier National Monument.
  Mr. Speaker, I applaud Helen Bird for being a part of the Pueblo 
Pottery Mug project. This project has given the community, as well as 
visitors to New Mexico, an opportunity to appreciate usable pieces of 
art that. are inspired by Native culture and traditions. I look forward 
to seeing this project continue to flourish and support talented Native 
artists from Pueblos throughout New Mexico.

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