The Thin Bear Legacy of Art and Oranges: Bob and Joan Hosler

 San Juan Record article on Thin Bear

by Janet Keeler Wilcox  contributing writer

    Robert and Joan Hosler have a legacy of close friendships with Ute and Navajo artists throughout San Juan County.   Before coming to Blanding in 1966, he managed several trading posts for the Foutz and Tanner Families in New Mexico, near or in Gallup and was pretty fluent in four languages: Navajo, Ute, German and English, and knew many words in several other languages.   When the Hoslers moved to Blanding, Bob was initially hired by Bruce Shumway as a social worker. They had known each other briefly while serving missions for the LDS church on the Navajo reservation.  As the Hoslers started to raise a family they decided it would be better to do so in a town.  He was first hired as an interpreter for social workers, but Bruce Shumway his boss, encouraged him to go to college and get a degree, which would provide a better living for their growing family.  This they did and they returned with additional skills. 

    Eventually he began to teach silversmithing at San Juan High School. He taught for 15 years from 1981 to 1996 and was also the Indian club advisor and the general sounding board for students in his classes. They would talk with him about all different topics. He enjoyed sharing information and helping them solve their problems and issues. 

    Bob learned both silversmithing and goldsmithing by researching and by doing. He also became proficient in lapidary skills, giving him the ability to cut and shape turquoise and other semi-precious stones. He taught many students at SJHS these beginning stages of silversmithing.  Many of them continued developing those skills which eventually provided them an income.
    Students enjoyed being in his classes and he spent many lunch hours and time after school allowing them to come in and finish projects for birthdays, Christmas and other special occasions.  They enjoyed the process of planning and then completing each project knowing that they could seek and get the support and training they would need to complete them.
His son Bret explains: “Dad loved seeing the growth and confidence students developed as they learned new skills. He always picked seniors to help younger students learn the skills and help keep order in the classes.
    “There were many great senior students over the years, one that comes to mind is Mike Bowers who is a teacher now.”  Bob and Lee Smith were usually in charge of cooking Dutch Oven food for the teacher year-end party. They did that for most of the years he worked there.
     Thin Bear Indian Arts was started shortly after Bob and Joan moved to Blanding.  People would contact Bob asking if he could get them a rug or basket, sand painting or a ring or other jewelry. Initially all those requests and art were stored in the bedroom, but finally Joan asked Bob not to store art in the bedroom anymore. It was getting crowded! 
Bob’s solution was to open their first little shop in front of their house at 445 West 200 South in Blanding.  That little building is still standing!   The current location of Thin Bear Indian Arts was opened in 1972 at 1944 South Main Street.

     Bob and Joan never met a stranger. For many, many years they could remember your name, where you were from and what type of art you liked.  The Hoslers were able to provide a venue at Thin Bear for more than 40 silversmiths who Bob trained and hired to make jewelry. Some of the other local artists showcased at the Thin Bear include Rose Keith - weaver of Navajo rugs & blankets, Mary Black and her family—woven wedding baskets, Harry Warren- buckskin paintings, paintings, jewelry, and David Mays - sand paintings.

    The most difficult part about running a small business is having enough money to keep the business going.  Sometimes sales were great, other times there were long dry spells with little $ coming in. The best part, however, is meeting and making so many wonderful friends, both locally and from all around the world.  “We love all our Native American friends, Navajo, Hopi, Ute. They shared their families and their lives with us as well as money and many of their favorite foods and deserts,” explained Bret.

Steve Gadonski photo used to promote local artisans 

    Another great tradition of Thin Bear, which continues today, is the delivery of sacks of oranges and grapefruit prior to Christmas.  This effort began in 1974 after an art show in Arizona. Being the true trader that he is, Bob did some negotiating with the owner of the Orange Patch. The oranges and grapefruit were very good and were an instant hit with their children. The next year he brought more home to sell and trade.
People loved them and talked about having them the next year.  Thus, the annual orange delivery has kept going for nearly 50 years.
 
Even though the Thin Bear business is closed, the doors still open once a year for Hosler’s Christmas gift to Blanding.