In the Park's Permanent Collection

Polychrome Jar: Sadie Adams  
(1905-1995), Hopi
8 3/8" (height), 8 ½” (width), 5 7/8" (depth)
Gift of Estate of Mrs. Robert (Suzanne) Wilson (86.2.56),

Currently displayed in the “Quilting on the Hopi Mesas” exhibit in the Wells Fargo Gallery, in the Education Center .

Sadie Adams, born in 1905, lived in the Hopi village of Hano on the First Mesa, where pottery traditionally is made. Sadie worked at Hubbell Trading Post along with other Hopi-Tewa girls. The Hubbell Trading Post was made a National Historic Site in August 1965.

Hopi potters use scrapers, sanding stones, polishing stones, and yucca brushes as tools to make their pottery. Historically, Hopis made two types of pottery: those for home use and those for sale. Pottery for home use was simple in form and design while pottery for sale was more varied. The jar shown above is a beautiful, red, wide-shouldered jar with a slightly turned out lip. Sadie painted a black stylized bird and feather design on and below the shoulder of the pot, but not on the base. Like all her pieces, her hallmark on the bottom was a flower. This exceptional piece won first prize in the Hopi Exhibition at the Museum of Northern Arizona in Flagstaff in 1961.

Sadie Adams won awards at the Third Scottsdale National Indian Arts Exhibition in Scottsdale , Arizona , and she created pieces for the Museum of Northern Arizona .  At the request of the Museum’s director, Dr. Harold Colton, Sadie made a set of decorated tiles which were set in the walls at the entrance to the Museum of Northern Arizona . Dr. Colton was the brother of Mrs. Robert Wilson (mother of Tohono Chul Park founder). Mrs. Wilson often visited her brother in Flagstaff , and most likely saw several Hopi exhibits that were presented there. She purchased many of the pieces in her collection at the museum, which were later donated to Tohono Chul Park .

Sadie Adams, who maintained a home in the Tewa village of Hano , passed away in 1995, at the age of 90.

Sources:
Ellen, Mary. Blair, Laurence. The Legacy of a Master Potter and Her Decendants. Tucson : Treasure Chest Books, 1999

 Frederick , E.C.. Plateau, vol. 49, no.3. Museum of Northern Arizona , 1977

www.holmes.anthropology.museum

Schaaf, Gregory. Hopi-Tewa Pottery: 500 Artist Biographies. Center for Indigenous Arts & Cultures, 1998

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