Terry DeWald: Native American Art Expert - Epi. 305, Host Dr. Mark Sublette

I had Terry DeWald on today. I've known Terry for over 30 years. He's a magnificent person and he's a dealer, but he's also an expert in Native American basketry and textiles, specifically Navajo. He's spent his entire life working with the Tohono O'Odham basket makers and knows them all very intimately and are a big part of  his life.

I've been trying to get him to come for a long time because he has so much to say. He knows so many people. He did so many interesting things, from being a professional baseball player to a teacher to again finding his way into the Native American art field. 

He's what we refer to as an Indian art trader. That's what all these guys were kind of referred to as in the early 70s, late 60s up until today.  I've been trying to interview these individuals while they're here. Unfortunately we've lost a few, and we're going to lose a lot more.

It's a subculture that's very unique in the whole of Americana. A group of non-Native individuals who dedicated their lives to Native American arts. Most of them work directly with different individuals, contemporary native artists, but also having this great love for historical material and really understanding it like very few can.

So it was a real gem of a podcast.  I think you'll really enjoy this one with Native American art expert Terry DeWald.