Joe Calabaza

Joe R. Calabaza and his wife, Valerie F. Calabaza, are esteemed Native American jewelry artists from Kewa Pueblo (Santo Domingo Pueblo) in New Mexico. Joe was born and raised in Kewa Pueblo by his parents, Joseph F. and Mary Ann Calabaza, who taught him the foundational crafts of traditional Pueblo jewelry making. His great-grandfather, Patricio Calabaza, also played a pivotal role in passing down these ancestral skills, ensuring the family’s artistic legacy would endure.

The Calabaza family is widely renowned for their exquisite, super-fine heishe work, a meticulous and historic bead-making technique. Hand-cutting and shaping organic materials, Joe creates breathtaking heishe jewelry using natural stones such as turquoise, serpentine, black jet, and pipestone. Beyond his signature beadwork, Joe is also a master of intricate inlay mosaic and traditional silver and metalwork, allowing him to create a diverse range of authentic Southwestern jewelry.

Deeply committed to preserving their cultural heritage, Joe has passed these time-honored techniques on to Valerie and their children, fulfilling his great-grandfather’s dream of generational continuity. Today, the Calabaza family proudly shares their wearable art with collectors nationwide, participating in prestigious events including SWAIA’s Santa Fe Indian Market, the Heard Museum Guild Arts and Craft Show, and the National Museum of the American Indian in Washington, D.C.. Through their craftsmanship and dedication to teaching their grandchildren, Joe and Valerie ensure the vibrant traditions of Kewa Pueblo remain alive and thriving.