TAHLEQUAH, Okla. — Explore the evolution of Cherokee artistic creation in a new exhibit at the Cherokee National History Museum.
“Since the First Fire: The Living Legacy of Cherokee Art” is now open and runs through March 21, 2026.
Since Cherokee people first told the story of the water spider who delivered the gift of fire in a vessel, art has carried the soul of Cherokee culture. Whether passed down in families through generations or recovered by descendants like traditional potter Anna Mitchell, Cherokee art is a treasured expression of cultural connection across both place and time.
“Without the work of artists, many aspects of Cherokee culture that we cherish today might have become lost to the present,” said Karen Shade-Lanier, Cherokee Nation Cultural Tourism exhibits manager. “This exhibit celebrates the legacy of our traditions and honors the many people who have dedicated their lives to ensuring that our traditions and culture continue for generations to come.”
In this exhibit guests can learn more about the endurance of Cherokee art through more than 30 pieces made by Cherokee National Treasures and Cherokee Nation artists.
The Cherokee National History Museum explores Cherokee Nation’s history from pre-European contact through Cherokee Removal and the revitalization of the tribe after the American Civil War. Housed in the original Cherokee National Capitol building, the museum is home to powerful and inspiring stories supported in part by artifacts from the Cherokee National Collection and on loan from the Smithsonian Institution and other institutions.
For information on Cherokee Nation cultural sites, exhibits and events, go to VisitCherokeeNation.com.