http://ondemand.azpm.org/videoshorts/watch/2008/3/19/kuat-bahti-indian-arts
(If you have trouble with this link, go to
http://azpm.org/
and click ON DEMAND and scroll down to where it says Bahti Indian Arts March 19th, 2008 and click.)
About Us:
Tom Bahti began his career in Indian arts in 1949. After graduating from the University of New Mexico with a degree in anthropology, he and his bride, Peggy, opened Ghost Ranch Trading Post. Moving to Tucson, he opened Tom Bahti Indian Arts in 1952. In 1966 he authored the first general introduction to the work of artists of the region. Entitled Southwest Indian Arts and Crafts, it was the first of a trilogy of books - Southwest Indian Tribes and Southwest Indian Ceremonials, that together have sold over a million copies, and were revised and expanded by his son in 1977.
His son, Mark Tomas Bahti, took over upon Tom's death in 1972 and continues to run the store, working with many of the same artists and craftspeople who traded wtih his father. In some cases he is seeing work by the great-great grandchildren of artisans who sold to his father.
Mark Bahti has written a number of books as well, including A Consumer's Guide to Southwest Indian Art, Pueblo Stories and Storytellers, Navajo Sandpainting Art (co-authored with Eugene Baatsoslanii Joe), Collecting Southwest Native American Jewelry, Southwest Indian Weaving, Southwest Indian Designs, Spirit in the Stone, a book on animal carvings and fetishes and, most recently, Stone and Silver.
As his father before him, he continues to be involved with Indian-run organizations addressing education, health and employment issues.
Tom Bahti
Mark Bahti and his grandchildren.
Emmi, Mark and his youngest son, Santi