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 that winter, he was partners with John Tanner at Desert House Crafts before opening 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 have been revised and expanded by his son Mark in subsequent editions. Mark took over upon Tom's death in 1972 and continues to run the store. He opened a a second shop in Santa Fe). Some of the artist they work with are the great-great grandchildren of artisans who sold to Tom 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, Stone and Silver.He is also working on another book (on pottery artists) and two research projects. 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 (40+ years) board member of the Tucson Indian Center, is past Chair of the Institute of American Indian Arts' Foundation in Santa Fe and served 3 terms on the board of SWAIA. He also serves on the board of the Amerind Foundation.
