Exhibition Description

This exhibition marks the first major exhibition of Santhony Pottery, one of the last studios to practice historical Haudenosaunee pottery on Six Nations of the Grand River territory. The origins of Santhony Pottery date back to the 1950s and 60s when Six Nations resident Elda “Bun” Smith unearthed pottery sherds near her home. Inspired by the question “where did it go?,” Smith was awarded an Ontario Arts Council grant that sent artist Tessa Kiddick to teach pottery techniques to a group of women on Six Nations in 1962. Following Kiddick’s instruction, Smith continued to conduct research into historical Haudenosaunee pottery design. She is now credited for helping to revitalize Haudenosaunee pottery on Six Nations, which stands as one of the largest cultural renewal efforts in Canada. 

In 1965, Smith visited her sister-in-law Darlene Smith in California and taught her how to throw clay. These lessons were later passed down to Darlene Smith’s daughter Cindy Henhawk of Santhony Pottery, who turned to pottery full-time after the passing of her mother in 2001. Since teaming with her sister-in-law Judi Henhawk Sault, the pair has been actively selling work on the powwow circuit and offering demonstrations, classes, and workshops. The story of Santhony Pottery, and Six Nations pottery more generally, is one of generational knowledge and family relationships. Unfortunately, the number of potters on Six Nations is quickly diminishing due to failing hands, illness, retirement, or passing on. This exhibition not only examines Santhony Pottery’s fascinating body of work but also represents a call to action to protect this important cultural practice.