Though there is no official record, the legendary potter Lucy M. Lewis was born around the turn of the 20th century in New Mexico's Acoma pueblo community, which is thought to be the oldest continuously inhabited settlement in North America. A lifelong artist, Lewis grew up observing and learning traditional techniques from her great-aunt. Lewis was particularly known for her hand-painted, black-on-white fine-line work. She won the blue ribbon at the 1950 Gallup Intertribal Ceremonial for her pottery and soon became known as an expert in her field. Lewis went on to win numerous awards, including honors from the governor of New Mexico (1983), the American Craft Council's Gold Medal (1985), and the Woman of the Year award from the Northwood Institute. When she was not traveling around the country giving workshops in ceramics, Lewis spent much of her time at her home and in her studio. She died in 1992.