Gasdia, Terry Lee

TERRY LEE GASDIA was raised on both the Akimel O'Odahm and Hopi reservations of northern and southern Arizona, and learned the importance of traditional culture from both sides of his family. While growing up with his grandparents, his grandfather and teacher, Logan Dallas, taught him the art of Hopi Katsina doll carving and how to paint in oils and acrylics. Logan is his main inspiration, and most of Gasdias' art comes from memories shared while carving together. Terry was also taught traditional values by his people on the Akimel O'Odahm side of his family and now has begun to explore this direction in his art.

While living in South Dakota, Terry attended Sinte Gleska Art Institute on the Rosebud Reservation. He worked as a Cultural Consultant in the area schools, where he gave presentations on Art, Storytelling and Songs and Dances of the Southwest. In 2000, Terry was selected in the five state region as one of the Top Five Native Artists in the area. At this time Terry began exploring stone carving and attended a marble carving symposium in Colorado. He is now a full-time marble carver and teacher.

Terry is currently attending Fort Lewis College in Durango where he is double majoring in Art and American Indian Studies and has completed his Minor in Heritage Preservation.