Who is AWB

Aaron W. Baumgardner (Catawba) is an artist, potter, and basket maker. His journey into traditional art forms began in early 2022 when he started attending pottery classes at the Catawba Cultural Center, learning techniques from esteemed potters within the community. Inspired by the legacy of his great-great-grandmother, Sallie Rebecca Brown Beck, her mother, Rachel Wysie George Brown, and countless Catawba women who have shaped and passed down their knowledge for thousands of years, Aaron strives to continue the ancient, unbroken tradition of Catawba pottery—a practice central to the survival of Catawba culture and community.

Aaron’s exploration of basketry focuses on white oak and rivercane. He is captivated by the geometry and storytelling inherent in these mediums. Aaron learned white oak basketry techniques from Jeff Gottleib, rivercane basketry from Cherokee artist Gabe Crow, and rivercane mat-making from Cherokee artists Waylon and Michelle Long. He became the first Catawba to create a rivercane basket in over 100 years.

Through his art, Aaron aims to inspire a new generation of Catawba artists, ensuring the revival and reverence of Catawba basketry alongside its celebrated pottery tradition. His dedication to cultural preservation is evident in his work as both an artist and community leader, as he organizes workshops and teaches classes to pass on these vital traditions.