Artist - Tonita Peña

Tonita Peña (1895-1949) was born on the San Ildefonso Pueblo located just north of Santa Fe. She moved to the Cochiti Pueblo in 1907 and remained there for the rest of her life. She is a self-taught painter and began gaining recognition in Santa Fe and Albuquerque as early as 25. She taught at both the Santa Fe and Albuquerque Indian Schools, thus influencing generations of artists. She won "Best in Show" in 1931 at the Exposition of American Indian Tribal Arts.