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




                      TRIBUTE TO ELIZABETH MEDINA

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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 Elizabeth Medina of Jemez 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.
  Elizabeth is originally from Jemez Pueblo and married into Zia Pueblo 
where she now lives with her husband, fellow artist Marcellus. She 
learned how to make traditional Zia pottery from her mother-in-law, 
renowned potter Sofia Medina, using the teachings of the past and the 
resources of the land to create and shape her pottery. Her work is 
celebrated for its craftsmanship, exquisitely painted designs, and 
elegance of form.
  Elizabeth's work typically combines traditional Zia symbols such as 
rainbows, birds, and flowers. Using kaolinite clay that is often 
featured in Zia pottery, she tempers it with basaltic rock to achieve a 
traditional finish. Her work displays a true appreciation for the 
teachings of the past and influences many of today's artists.
  Mr. Speaker, I applaud Elizabeth Medina 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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