T. Will (Tom W. Gregg) is a retired attorney living in San Angelo, Texas and Cloudcroft, New Mexico.  He was introduced to wood turning by friends in Cloudcroft.  After learning the basics of turning, he wanted to find his special "niche" and discovered woven basket illusions.  He is a two time winner of the "Award of Excellence" given by the West Texas Regional Art Show and was in the "Elite Eight" in the 2012 Choice Woods National Wood Turning Contest.

 Member: American Association of Woodturners.

 

     "I have always been interested in history.  Living in San Angelo, I served on the board of directors and president of the board of Fort Concho National Historic Landmark.  Fort Concho was an Indian Wars fort that was active after the Civil War (1867-1889).  It was home to the 16th Infantry, 4th Cavalry and the 10th Cavalry (Buffalo Soldiers).  While working with Fort Concho, I was part of the original group of volunteers that formed the living history units of the 16th Infantry (Mem.), 4th Cavalry (Mem.) and the 10th Calvary (Mem.)  Each unit studied the history and tried to demonstrate the life of the 1880's soldier as accurately as possible.  I was designated the "Post Commander" of the Living History troops.

 

     In 1968-1969 my wife, Fran, and I saw the other side of the conflict caused by "civilization" creeping westward.  While in the United States Air Force, we were stationed at Ellsworth, AFB, South Dakota.  There, we were in the center of the Lakota (Sioux) Nation.  While there we attended an Episcopal Church whose congregation was about 99% Lakota.  On Sunday nights the hymns were sung in Lakota.  They are a very private people, but after a while they began talking with us about being Native American.  We learned that their feelings about the "white man" and the Indian Wars are buried in a very shallow grave.  Ironically, as a group, most are very patriotic Americans.  Of course, living in Cloudcroft next to the Mescalero Apache Reservation gives us continued insight concerning our Native American neighbors.

 

     This information is given so that you might understand why I create these basket illusions.  Many of the patterns I use originated with Native Americans.  My work is never intended nor represented to be Native American Art.  Rather, my work is intended to honor and recognize the beauty of a culture that our brand of civilization has forever changed."