TULSA, Okla. – The 17th annual Cherokee Art Market kicked off Friday evening with an awards reception recognizing Cherokee Nation citizen Troy Jackson with the Best of Show Award for “Ancestral Duplication: Battle for our Language.”
The oversized, replicated warriors club is made of fabricated steel with clay overlay with Cherokee syllabary. Jackson's Best of Show piece was also recognized as Best in Class for Sculptures and he recieved the Anna Mitchell Award for another piece, "Third Day."
The Cherokee Art Market opened to the public Saturday and continues Sunday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. featuring 150 elite Native American artists representing more than 40 tribes. Art forms include beadwork, pottery, painting, basketry, sculptures and textiles.
Many participating artists also compete for their share of more than $75,000 in prize money. With nearly 60 winners in eight classes, the following highlights the 17th annual Best of Class winners, with the full list of winners available at www.CherokeeArtMarket.com.
Class 1 – Painting, Drawing, Graphics & Photography
Benjamin Harjo Jr., Absentee Shawnee/Seminole Nation, and Ken Williams, Northern Arapaho/Senca, “Charmers in the Wind”
Class 2 – Sculpture
Troy Jackson, Cherokee Nation, “Ancestral Duplication: Battle for Language”
Class 3 – Beadwork/Quillwork
Emil Her Many Horses, Oglala Lakota, “Red Dress Special: Remembering MMIW”
Class 4 – Basketry
Mike Dart, Cherokee Nation, “The Burdens We Still Carry”
Class 5 – Pottery
Karin Walkingstick, Cherokee Nation, “Magnolia”
Class 6 – Textiles
Lisa Rutherford, Cherokee Nation, “Mississippian Style”
Class 7 – Jewelry
Matagi Sorensen, Yavapai-Apache Nation, “Silver Devils Claw Scarf”
Class 8 – Diverse Art Forms
Katrina Mitten, Miami of Oklahoma, “She Shimmers”
Anna Mitchell Award
Marcella Yepa, Jemez Pueblo/Chickasaw Nation, “Turtles”
Troy Jackson, Cherokee Nation, “Third Day”
Culture Keeper Award
Lisa Rutherford, Cherokee Nation, “Mississippian Style”
Innovator Award
Matagi Sorensen, Yavapai-Apache Nation, “Silver Devils Claw Scarf”
This year a new recognition was added to the list of top honors through a private donation. The Jesse Hummingbird Legacy Award honors the late Cherokee artist who earned his recognition as a National Treasure in 2017 for painting. It is awarded to the artist who best exemplifies contemporary-style painting or drawing using oil, acrylic or prisma color on paper or canvas.
Jesse Hummingbird Legacy Award
Bryan Waytula, Cherokee Nation, “The Defendant”
Cherokee Art Market provides the opportunity for visitors to meet directly with each juried artist and learn more about their work. In addition, the market features live cultural demonstrations and artist conversations from some of the nation's top Native American artists.
Cherokee Art Market is presented by Cherokee Nation Businesses and is open 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. in the Sequoyah Convention Center at Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Tulsa. Admission is $5 per person, and children under 12 are free.
Co-sponsors include Native American Art Magazine and Tulsa People.
Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Tulsa is located off Interstate 44 at exit 240. For more information, visit www.hardrockcasinotulsa.com.