John Kania obtained his Bachelor of Arts degree in Anthropology from the University of Minnesota in 1969. Moving to California six years later, he there became inspired by the rich body of Native American basketry produced by the numerous tribes in that state. His research into basketry began at that time. In 1981 he opened a gallery in Santa Fe, New Mexico, where he continues to reside. In 2004 he presented a paper on the origins of Chemehuevi basketry to the Great Basin Anthropological Conference, and in 2008 he presented an additional paper to that same body on the weavers of Victorville, California. He is the author of two articles on Chemehuevi basketry which appeared in American Indian Art Magazine (Scottsdale, Arizona) in 2006 and 2007.