Born in 1948, Jean Sahme Nampeyo is a Hopi-Tewa potter from the village of Hano at First Mesa on the Hopi Reservation. Her mother was Priscilla Namingha Nampeyo, her father Emerson Namingha. She is the eldest daughter in a family of eight brothers and sisters.

After years of watching and sometimes helping, Jean began seriously working with clay in 1972, working alongside her mother and grandmother (Rachel Namingha Nampeyo). They had a strong influence on her styles, designs and techniques. Jean made a whole range of shapes from cylinders to canteens to effigy pots. Her favorite designs to decorate them include butterflies, migration patterns, bird elements, rain and cloud patterns. Jean vividly remembers advice her grandmother gave her "to respect and follow the traditional method for it will sustain your livelihood." Jean followed that advice closely all her life and in 2014 she was declared an "Arizona Living Treasure."

Jean's work can be found in various galleries, museums, private collections, colleges and universities in the United States and abroad. Jean was given the Hopi name, Sak'Honsee (Tobacco Flower) at birth and that's how she has signed many of her creations. She also often spelled her name "Sahme" instead of the usual "Sahmie."

Some Exhibits that Featured Pieces by Jean

• Elegance from Earth: Hopi Pottery. Heard Museum. Phoenix, Arizona. March 24, 2012 - April 6, 2014
• Innovations in Clay: Five Pueblo Potters. Mudd Carr Gallery. Santa Fe, New Mexico. 1986

Some Awards Earned by Jean

• 2004 Santa Fe Indian Market, Classification II - Pottery, Division E - Traditional pottery, jars, including wedding jars, Category 1201 - Jars, Hopi: Third Place
• 2004 Santa Fe Indian Market, Classification II - Pottery, Division F - Traditional pottery, painted designs on matte or semi-matte surface, all forms except jars: Best of Division
• 2004 Santa Fe Indian Market, Classification II - Pottery, Division F - Traditional pottery, painted designs on matte or semi-matte surface, all forms except jars, Category 1303 - Vases: First Place