Paula A. Baxter: Design Historian, Professor, Curator & Author - Epi. 271, Host Dr. Mark Sublette

Art Dealer Diaries Podcast

Paula Baxter was on the show today and she's very interesting, as most of our guests are. All of our guests have a similar thread of the arts running through their lives in some form or fashion. In her case, it was 1986 when she was in Santa Fe and bought a piece at Ortega's on the Plaza. It was like an epiphany for Paula. She needed to be more aware of this material.
Paula has worked as the head curator of art and architecture for the New York Public Library, she worked at MoMA, and she was a humanities professor. She held these significant positions, but at the end of the day had always wanted to be a writer. I think that's what her gift is to the world.
She's done these wonderful books on Native American jewelry. Her most recent book "Navajo and Pueblo Jewelry Design: 1870–1945," is a really great book. In fact, it's been at my bedside for a long time because the material is wonderful, the photos are beautiful, and the timeline she inserted is very helpful. The amazing photographs were taken by her husband, Barry Katzen.
So I think this podcast is one that follows the journey of somebody's life, you know, and how they get to where they get and why they're on planet Earth. Palua is clearly here to spread the word and to educate. To tell people that Native American jewelry is such an important art form. It is a form of art that is very close to my heart and it's a privilege that I can wear and appreciate every single day.
Anyway, I hope you enjoy the podcast. I know I did. Art Dealer Diaries Podcast episode 271 with Paula A. Baxter.