Mary Lou (Zuni, maiden name) Kokaly is a Native American of Pueblo Indian descent. The Pueblo Indians are located in New Mexico.
Mary Lou is a third generation potter. Her maternal grandparents and her mother of San Juan Pueblo were also potters. Her father is from the Isleta Pueblo. Her mother, Christine Povi Suni, has been making pottery and attending Native American Art Shows for over thirty years. She taught Mary Lou traditional Pueblo pottery techniques and the making of clay story tellers.
MaryLou’s formal art education began when she attended college to pursue her interest in three-dimensional art. She received her Bachelor degree in Fine Arts from the University of New Mexico in 1986 and her certification in Art Education in 1989.
Over the years Mary Lou’s art has evolved. Her storytellers are still made using traditional hand building methods of coiling, pinch pots, and slab, they also reflect contemporary art mediums. During the past three years MaryLou has created many unique and interesting female and male storytellers. They vary in size from miniature to larger ones. These storytellers are painted with colorful, vibrant acrylic paints then fired in an electric kiln. Detailed attention is given to the traditional costume attire and jewelry accessories.
Mary Lou has participated in a number of Native American Art shows including the Santa Fe Indian Marker ( New Mexico), Eight Northern Arts and Crafts Show, Pueblo Grande Museum Arts and Crafts Show, University of Arizona State Museum Centennial, and the Heard Museum Arts and Crafts Show ( Phoenix, AZ),
As the mother of three children and a school teacher the making of storyteller pottery has deep personal significance to Mary Lou. Because the storyteller reflects the importance of parenthood and the teaching of young children.
 |
Come, gather around to hear stories Of tradition and culture Of family and ancestors Of the lessons life has to teach Come, listen to the storyteller Spin the stories of mankind Mary Lou Kokaly |
 |