Born in 1948, Lois Gutierrez is the sister of Gloria (Goldenrod) Garcia, Thelma Talachy and Minnie Vigil. They all learned the ancient art from their mother, Petra Montoya Gutierrez, as they were growing up. Petra was from Pojoaque Pueblo and had married into Santa Clara. Her daughters were raised using mostly Santa Clara clays and designs.

Lois married Derek de la Cruz many years ago and they've been working together since: Lois does most of the potting and painting while Derek works with the clay and helps with the firing. Lois and Derek are among the few potters still working at Santa Clara who are willing to search out and prepare the various colors of natural clay Lois uses on her pots. One of their collaborations won the Best of Show ribbon at the Santa Fe Indian Market in 1982 and they were so overwhelmed by the sudden increased demand for their pottery they never exhibited there again, often choosing to go to the New Mexico State Fair instead (and they've won more than a few ribbons there, too).

Lois's specialty is polychrome pottery made the way it used to be at Santa Clara, before the carving and sgraffito processes took hold. Her designs are often depictions of scenes from pueblo life, adorned with appropriate geometrics.

Some Exhibits that Featured Works by Lois and Derek

• Artistic Excellence: The Heard Museum Guild Indian Fair & Market Celebrates 60 Years. Heard Museum. Phoenix, Arizona. February 2, 2018 - August 31, 2018
• Images, Artists, Styles: Recent Acquisitions from the Heard Museum Collection. Heard Museum North. Scottsdale, Arizona. July 2001 - July 2002
• 1980 Heard Museum Guild Indian Arts and Crafts Exhibit. Heard Museum. Phoenix, Arizona. November 26 - December 3, 1980 Rising Stars. Gallery 10. Scottsdale, Arizona. February 8-27, 1980
• 1978 Heard Museum Guild Indian Arts and Crafts Exhibit. Heard Museum. Phoenix, Arizona. November 24 - December 2, 1978
• 1977 Heard Museum Guild Indian Arts and Crafts Exhibit. Heard Museum. Phoenix, Arizona. November 25 - December 3, 1977
• 1976 Heard Museum Guild Indian Arts and Crafts Exhibit. Heard Museum. Phoenix, Arizona. November 26 - December 5, 1976

Some Awards Won by Lois and Derek

• 1984 Santa Fe Indian Market, Classification II - Pottery, Division E - Traditional pottery, painted designs on burnished black or red surface, Category 1102 - Jars (over 8 inches tall): Second Place
• 1983 Santa Fe Indian Market, Katherine and Miguel Otero Award - Creative excellence in any category
• 1983 Santa Fe Indian Market, Classification II - Pottery, Division F - Traditional, painted designs on matte or semi-matte surface: Second Place
• 1982 Santa Fe Indian Market. Best of Show
• 1982 Santa Fe Indian Market, Best of Class - Pottery
• 1982 Santa Fe Indian Market, Classification Pottery, Best of Division
• 1982 Santa Fe Indian Market, Classification Pottery, Traditional Hopi, Zia, Acoma Style Pottery. Jars - Other Pueblos: First Place
• 1980 Heard Museum Guild Indian Arts and Crafts Exhibit, Classification VII, Pottery, Division A - Traditional construction and firing: Honorable Mention. Awarded for artwork: Large vase with fluted rim
• 1978 Heard Museum Guild Indian Arts and Crafts Exhibit, Best of Show. Awarded for polychrome bowl: "Hunter & Turkey"
• 1978 Heard Museum Guild Indian Arts and Crafts Exhibit: Heard Museum Board of Trustees Best of Crafts. Awarded for polychrome bowl: "Hunter & Turkey"
• 1978 Heard Museum Guild Indian Arts and Crafts Exhibit, Best of Pottery. Awarded for polychrome bowl: "Hunter & Turkey"
• 1978 Heard Museum Guild Indian Arts and Crafts Exhibit, Best of New Mexico Pueblo Pottery. Awarded for polychrome bowl: "Hunter & Turkey"
• 1978 Heard Museum Guild Indian Arts and Crafts Exhibit, Classification VII - Pottery, Division B - Contemporary: First Place. Awarded for polychrome bowl: "Hunter & Turkey"
• 1977 Heard Museum Guild Indian Arts and Crafts Exhibit, Classification VII - Pottery, Division B - Contemporary: Second Place. Awarded for artwork polychrome bowl
• 1976 Heard Museum Guild Indian Arts and Crafts Exhibit, Classification X - Pottery, Division B - Contemporary: Honorable Mention. Awarded for artwork: White bowl with rain dance design