William P. Healey: Accomplished Native American Art Collector – Epi. 376, Host Dr. Mark Sublette
Over one hour Healey shares his gestation as first a collector of Western art, later a dedicated collector of American Indian art (paintings, drawings, sculpture, beadwork, jewelry). The Heard Museum’s Indian boarding school exhibit triggered a positive response–to champion people who were tragically forced to assimilate here in the US.
Healey and Sublette chronicle the history of American Indian mistreatment forward. Likewise they share the progression of artistic development of the American Indian from traditional to the most contemporary creators. Healey emphasizes Kay Walkingstick’s upcoming show at the Heard in January 2026.
Assigning artworks to American art museums has been extremely problematic. He’s recently gifted 100 artworks to the St. Louis Art Museum (the tenth largest art museum in the US). His goal is to expose citizens previously unaware of the significance of art by many indigenous artists.
St. Louis has published an impressive hard-bound book of Healey’s gift Native Studio Art Since the 1920’s The Healey Collection available on Amazon and at the St. Louis Art Museum.
Corinne Cain of SavvyCollector.com