Carrie painting mural for ASM exhibit
On Friday, September 24, 2010, the world lost another talented teacher and Native American artist, Carrie Estey
. In 2002-2003, while pursuing a Master’s degree in American Indian Studies at the University of Arizona, Carrie worked at the Arizona State Museum. She served on the team working with Curator Suzanne Griset to produce the exhibition The Pottery Detectives: Decoding the Secrets of Southwest Pottery (on display at ASM March 2003-September 2004).
Carrie demonstrating at ASM
A multitalented person, Carrie conducted research for the exhibition, painted a mural based on designs found on Hopi pottery, and served as a demonstrating ceramic artist in the Artists in Residence program we ran in conjunction with the exhibition. She was one of 12 artists chosen to participate in this National Endowment for the Arts funded program. For a month of Saturdays, she engaged visitors with her love of ceramics. She demonstrated handbuilding techniques and answered visitors’ questions about her Ojibwe pottery tradition and about the exhibition.
Originally from Minnesota, at age 14 Carrie moved to Santa Fe, NM to study at the Institute for American Indian Arts where she met her husband, Jim Curtis Ortiz from San Juan Pueblo. Carrie learned the Pueblo style of making pots (coil and scrape techniques) while living at San Juan Pueblo. She later divorced, but continued her love for ceramics work. Carrie was first and foremost an Ojibwe potter, trying to resuscitate that tradition which uses paddle and anvil techniques. After completing her studies at the UofA, she moved back to Bemidji, Minnesota where she managed the Minnesota Historical Society’s Mille Lacs Indian Museum.
Carrie talking with museum visitors
Carrie loved sharing her passion for Native arts, and we appreciate her contribution to our exhibition and program about the stories ceramic pots tell about the cultures that made them. The rich tradition of pottery making continues in many Native communities worldwide. Carrie was part of that tradition.
How sad. We need more people like her to keep up the craft. I live near Bentonville AR. and there is a large private collection of Indian history.I have been tracing my roots and it keeps getting more interesting day by day. I have a couple of large hand made Indian dolls I would like to find out more about.
Condolences to the family. Safe and steady journey home.
Carrie is very gifted. You can tell by the pictures that it is a passion.
Very sad to lose someone so talented. I really appreciate the Native Arts and the care and love with which they are made. I’ve spent a lot of time in the Santa Fe / Taos area and it is a beautiful and wonderful place. I appreciate the adversity that these artists must go through.
Honor and credit to Carrie Estey for reviving the Ojibwe pottery tradition. We lost her but her memory and work lives on.
My heart goes out to Carrie. She may be gone but I hope her story and her work will inspire others who have the love for Native arts. Pottery making is one of the greatest arts that the world and the new generation should be grateful to. Thanks Carrie for the work you left behind. It will remind all of us that culture is just around.
Even though Carrie is no longwe with us, her story is an inspiration to all of us. Pottery is one of the oldest art form of humanity and hopefully carries will continue to inspire generations to come!!
Beautiful contribution she made to society. It’s so touching how people can really make a difference. I hope her story will touch the heart of other people and encourage the younger generation to pursue the Native arts.
A really touching story i hope the family are well….when dealing with loss
Sorry to hear about your loss. She did what she loved and thats the most important thing in life!
Carrie was such an exceptional artist and I wanted to pay my tributes to her excellence. Her work was reminescent of some of the pieces that I remember, during my studies with the University of Iowa Museum of art, in their MesoAmerican collections. Her work carried a sense of the talisman, as well as a treasured tradition to be cherished for many generations. – Prof. Slatton/ East TN State U.
I admire her for her God given talent. She is just exceptional.
Thank you all for saying what you have said about my mother.. And thank you to the University of Arizona staff for posting this memorial on my mother.
She was a talented and wonderful woman. You’re welcome. Sorry for your loss.
Neil, you’re welcome. We are sorry for your loss, for all our loss. Carrie was a wonderful woman, great artist and encouraging teachers. Lisa
Beautiful contribution she made to society. It’s so touching how people can really make a difference. I hope her story will touch the heart of other people and encourage the younger generation to pursue the Native arts.