two generations…three quarters of a century

MARK BAHTI


A researcher/author like his father, Mark 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, Silver and Stone, profiling dozens of silversmiths. He is also working on a book on the history of Southwest Indian jewelry and a couple research projects, having just revised and expanded Spirit in the Stone.

And, like his father before him, he continues to be involved with Indian-run organizations addressing education, health and employment issues. He is a long-time board member of the Tucson Indian Center, serves on the Institute of American Indian Arts' Foundation Board in Santa Fe and on the board of directors for the Amerind Foundation in Arizona for nearly a decade as well as a former board member of the Southwest Association on Indian Arts.

2024 marks his 52nd year doing what he loves.

TOM BAHTI


After graduating from the University of New Mexico with a degree in anthropology, Tom Bahti began his career in Indian arts in 1949, opening Ghost Ranch Trading Post near Abiquiu, New Mexico.

Moving to Tucson that winter, he was partners with John Tanner at Desert House Crafts before opening Tom Bahti Indian Arts in 1952.

In 1966 Tom authored the first general introduction to the work of artists of the region. Titled 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 have been revised and expanded by his son Mark in subsequent editions.

Mark took over the shop upon Tom's death in 1972 and continues to run the store. Mark opened a second shop in Santa Fe in 2007. Some of the artists he and his staff work with are the great-great grandchildren of artisans who sold to Tom Bahti.

 

HOLLY COONSIS

Santa Fe Manager

Holly joined us over ten years ago.

Holly is from Zuni (her mother and brother are renowned jewelry artists) She too has had long experience in retail and has managed our Santa store for over a decade. Many of you have already come to know her and appreciate her extensive knowledge, her warmth and her humor.

 

SUSAN WOODS

Tucson-downtown shop

An artist-sculptor and designer/maker, Susan has sold her work here and abroad. New to Tucson, she is happy to learn about the history and cultures of the southwest through the gallery’s collections and further readings.

 

TIM PRICE


Tucson Manager
Tim joined us over four years ago.

An archaeologist by training, he has extensive experience in retail, having started the gift shop at the Amerind Museum (near Benson), managing the Kaibab Shop for 11 years and then taking over the Arizona State Museum gift shop until it was shuttered, We are delighted that he joined us.

 
 

ANN PARKER
Tucson Shop

Ann worked at the Kaibab Shop for a number of years. A bit of a collector herself, she enjoys sharing both her enthusiasm and her knowledge -she earned a Masters In American Indian Studies at the University of Arizona.