TAHLEQUAH, Okla. — In a special reception on Friday night, Cherokee Nation recognized more than 30 artists in celebration of the 31st annual Cherokee Homecoming Art Show.
The show is now open to the public and runs through Sept. 12 in the gallery located at 3397 Cherokee Springs Road.
“The Cherokee Homecoming Art Show is a shining example of the importance of the preservation and promotion of Cherokee culture,” said Cherokee Nation Principal Chief Chuck Hoskin Jr. “As you walk through the gallery, Cherokee traditions and stories are on full display, telling not only our history, but that the Cherokee Nation is still thriving here today.”
The juried show and competition features 117 pieces by 78 artists, including the following six Cherokee National Treasures: Roy Boney Jr, Richard Fields, Tonia Horner-Weavel, Ron Mitchell, Harry Oosahwee and Troy Jackson.
This year’s Best of Show was awarded to Hattie Lee Mendoza for her mixed media piece, “Homeplace: Her Memories, Our Heritage (White Oak),” comprised of photos, glass beads and embroidery thread on a giclee print of an antique document.
Artists competed for their share of more than $18,000 in prize money in two divisions, traditional and contemporary, alongside various specialty awards.
The traditional division is defined as “arts originating before European contact” and consists of three categories: basketry, pottery and traditional arts.
The contemporary division is defined as “arts arising among the Cherokee after European contact” and consists of nine categories, including sculpture, pottery, basketry, beadwork, jewelry, textiles, painting, photography and digital art, as well as drawing, graphics and mixed media.
First-place winners in each category are as follows:
Traditional Arts: Grant Morris, “Bad Medicine”
Traditional Pottery: Crystal Hanna, “I’m From the Underworld”
Contemporary Pottery: Karla Blackfish, “Strength (ᏄᎵᏂᎬᎬ nu-li-ni-gv-gv)”
Traditional Basketry: Vicki Coppedge, “Stillness After the Rush”
Contemporary Basketry: Kristy Owens, “Bird Clan”
Painting: Robin Stockton, “Devouring the Sun”
Sculpture: Ernie Poindexter, “Pileated Woodpecker at Work”
Textiles: Paige Hart, “Unity”
Jewelry: Phyllis Sixkiller, “Ancestors”
Beadwork/Quillwork: Carolyn Pallett, “Creatures of Courage”
Drawing, Graphics and Mixed Media: Robin Stockton, “Stickball Rabbit — Monoprint”
Photography & Digital Art: Laura Petty, “Way of the Wind”
Other special awards include the following:
cara-mengevaluasi-klaim-rtp-live-di-komunitasBill Rabbit Legacy Award: Micah Brooks, “Guess Who's Back From Mexico”
Betty Scraper-Gardner Elder Award: Charlie Nichols, “I WANNA BE”
Mary Ellen Meredith Award for Humor: Robin Stockton, “Tales of the Fox”
Emerging Artist Award: Micah Brooks, “Guess Who's Back From Mexico”
All artwork is available for sale, and the public is encouraged to vote for the People’s Choice Award. For a complete list of award winners, please visit HomecomingArtShow.com.