Thomas Polacca was born in 1935. He was the grandson of the famous Nampeyo,a Hopi woman considered responsible for the renaissance in Hopi pottery. Several of Thomas Polacca's siblings are also well-known potters, including Elva Tewaguna, Leah Nampeyo, Tonita Nampeyo and Iris Youvella Nampeyo. His daughter, Carla Nampeyo, is also a well-known Hopi potter. Thomas Polacca is a self-taught potter who pioneered the style of deeply carved pottery. Polacca's pots are known for their beautiful mural-like scenes of Hopi religious rituals and ceremonies. His pottery is often very large and unique in color. His work has been featured in many publications and he has been the winner of several awards including the Gallup Intertribal Ceremonial. Thomas Polacca passed away in 2003.