LEARN ABOUT ALISON PAYTIAMO:

Alison Paytiamo was born May 30, 2008 to mother, Melanie Paytiamo.  Alison is a Tribal Member of the Pueblo of San Ildefonso with her mother and siblings.  She acknowledges she is a part of the Pueblo of Acoma thru her maternal grandfather, Elliott Paytiamo.  Alison is one of the middle children in her family of 8, she has 5 siblings:  Lorenzen, 24; Tyrone, 18; Shyquedah, 18; Alison, 14; Merleah, 9; Lily, 9 and two dogs, Brownie and Peaches.  Her father is Xavier Guinn and her mother is Melanie Paytiamo.  Alison is very active within her pueblo; she participates in Traditional dances and activities in San Ildefonso and Acoma Pueblo.  She played Volleyball, Basketball and Softball in Middle School and will continue as she enters HS.  She also participates in summer sports.  

Alison has been sewing for about 5 years now.  She learned the art of sewing from her mother, Melanie, who learned the art of sewing from her maternal grandmother.  Alison was blessed to know her great grandmother and learn the traditions of the pueblo, cooking, baking, everything her great grandmother taught her, she absorbed the information and uses it today.  Alison and her mother work together to complete potholders.  They pick out beautiful material and match the binding to put along the ends and sew.  There is time put into each piece made from purchasing the materials needed to cutting and pinning together to snipping here and there before it makes to the sewing machine.  Alison’s mother was taught by her maternal grandmother that when you are dancing, cooking or creating art you are to have a clear mind, a clean heart and good prayers to go into what you are doing.  Alison has learned this from a young age because she and her siblings have been dancing traditionally since they were able to walk.

Alison is an all-around young lady who is always willing to learn, to try new things, make friends, speak her mind.  She is not only a talented athlete; she is also academically talented.  Alison paints canvas and ceramic pottery from time to time alongside her mother, Melanie.   She has painted small ceramic pottery for 8 years now.