[Congressional Record Volume 164, Number 133 (Friday, August 10, 2018)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1143-E1144]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                        TRIBUTE TO ROBIN TELLER

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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 Robin Teller of Isleta 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.
  Robin is from the Pueblo of Isleta, where pottery has historically 
been made for functional or ceremonial uses. Since 1988, she has become 
known for her iconic storytellers, nativity scenes, human and animal 
figures, and polychrome vessels that honor the traditions of her 
Pueblo. She uses the traditional method of digging clay, tuffa, and 
pigments from different areas of the Isleta Pueblo, some of which were 
used by generations past to collect clay.
  Robin's work comes from the traditional designs of the Isleta Pueblo: 
red and black fluid geometric designs on a white background depicting 
nature's elements. Her work is also largely influenced by the 
generations of strong women in her family line.
  Mr. Speaker, I applaud Robin Teller 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

[[Page E1144]]

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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