Meet clay and bronze artist Autumn Borts-Medlock of Santa Clara Pueblo. Drawing from the spiritual symbolism and nature-oriented design aesthetics of native culture, Autumn is tied to a long line of potters from generations past. She was first introduced to the art form as a child, making her first formal attempts at claywork under the guidance of her mother and grandmother. These lessons during her early years solidified Autumn's own connection to the clay, and gave her the skills she needed to move into coil work. Pottery ties Autumn both to an ancient tradition and her ancestors. "Knowing that a thousand grandmothers did this before me is amazing... to have been born into this is a gift," says Autumn.