Helen Bird

Helen Bird is a celebrated potter from Santo Domingo, renowned for her elegant vessels crafted in the traditional Santo Domingo style. She was first introduced to pottery at the age of 12 by her great-aunt, who took her to a special hill in their village to gather clay. This experience sparked a lifelong passion for the craft. Helen began her professional pottery career in 1991 after transitioning from a role as an alcohol and substance abuse counselor.

While many Pueblo communities developed distinctive pottery traditions in the 20th century, Santo Domingo was an exception, largely focusing on other art forms such as heishi jewelry. Helen, however, was at the forefront of a pottery revival in the 1990s, helping to elevate Santo Domingo pottery to new levels of artistic and cultural significance.

She is now considered one of the most prominent pottery artists from the region. “I talk to each pot,” Helen shares. “When it’s almost near completion, I say, ‘Whose home are you going to grace? You’re only going to go to someone who truly loves you, so be happy. Bless the home you’re in.’” Through her artistry, Helen has not only preserved a centuries-old tradition but also reinvigorated it, ensuring that Santo Domingo pottery continues to thrive in the modern world.