Hartman Gallery

John was born October 1, 1940 and the only child of Dwight and Helen Hartman. Dwight was a road engineer with the Pratt County Highway Dept. and Helen was an English teacher. Jon’s mother would read a lot of stories to him and that is where his interest and love for the Indian people bean. Jon started to collect when he was just 8 years old. He was a paper boy and with the money he earned he bought moccasins and the other Indian artifacts. He also discovered Indian artifacts along the Ninnescah River near Pratt. 

Jon went to college and graduated from Fort Hays State University with a Masters degree in ceramics. He taught art for 35 years in Great Bend until he retired. Jon was a talented artist and also made beautiful silver jewelry.

Jon had a friend who was an archaeologist and they dug every summer in the Santa Fe, New Mexico area. Jon had a passion for collecting Indian artifacts. He was also very knowledgeable. Just by looking at a piece, he could tell you what it was and from which tribe it originate.

Jon collected up until just a few months or so before he passed away in December 2014 at the age of 74.