Cherokee
Heritage Center Executive Director Carey Tilley places an honorable mention
ribbon on a booger mask created by Roger Cain titled “Sgili Booger” before an
awards show for the Cherokee Homecoming Art Show and Sale. PHOTO BY WILL CHAVEZ


     

         
 
         
         
         
     
     

         
 Cherokee Heritage Center
         curator Mickel Yantz places a first place ribbon on a piece of pottery titled
         “Halfbreed” created by Troy Jackson. PHOTO BY WILL CHAVEZ 
     

By WILL CHAVEZ
Senior Reporter

PARK HILL, Okla. – Artists from all three federally recognized Cherokee tribes entered 192 pieces of artwork in nine categories for the 15th annual Cherokee Homecoming Art Show and Sale held in August at the Cherokee Heritage Center. 

Up for grabs was $15,000 in prize money and the honor of being recognized in front of other Cherokee artists. 

CHC Executive Director Carey Tilley said he was pleased that citizens from the Cherokee Nation, United Keetoowah Band and Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians participated in the show. 

“We’re also very proud that we have artists here participating in the show that have been given the highest honor that the Cherokee Nation bestows on artists – the recognition of National Treasure,” he said. 

Tilley said 10 Cherokee National Treasures participated in the show. Those treasures and others will be featured in the museum’s upcoming “National Treasure Exhibit,” which runs from Oct. 4 until Dec. 31. The exhibition will re-run Feb. 1 through April 3. 

The Cherokee Homecoming Art Show and Sale was created to bring skilled artisans in various media together to preserve the Cherokee craftsmanship passed down from generation to generation. 



Carlene Wiley, of Westville, has participated in the show and sale since 2001. In 2001, she said she won a judge’s choice award, first place and an honorable mention. This year she won an honorable mention for her gourd artwork titled “Cherokee dancers.” But, she said, her focus is contemporary Cherokee basketry. 

“There are some very good artists that have such good work. To be singled out to win, that’s an honor really,” Wiley said.

The show has two divisions and nine categories. In the Traditional Division there are Traditional Basketry, Jewelry and Beading, Traditional Pottery and Traditional Arts. In the Contemporary Division are Visual Arts (painting and graphics), Contemporary Sculpture, Contemporary Pottery, Contemporary Basketry and Textiles. 

In only his second time to enter, David Pruitt won two judge’s choice awards for his clay sculptures “Fire Carrier” and “Warrior.” 

He said the prize money is good, but the art show is special because it’s held “at home,” and he doesn’t have to travel to participate. 
15th annual Cherokee Homecoming Art Show and Sale winners:
Grand Prize: Daniel Horsechief, visual arts, “From the Ashes” oil painting
 

1st place awards
Traditional Pottery: Crystal Hanna, “Mud Fish II Hybrid” native clay
Jewelry: Antonio Grant, “Rattlesnake Gorget” shell
Traditional Basketry: Lisa Forrest, “Mother’s Keeper” honeysuckle
Traditional Arts: Noel Grayson, “Hunter’s Bow” wood
Contemporary Basketry: Lisa Forrest, “Dudu’s Basket” commercial reed
Sculpture: Dean Anson, “Eagle” walnut
Textile: Janet Smith, “Turtles and Syllabary” cotton
Visual Arts: Buffalo Gauge, “See What You Will” acrylic 
Contemporary Pottery: Troy Jackson, “Halfbreed” stoneware

Judge’s Choice

Tara McCoy, “Finger weaving” yarn 

Robert Lewis, “A Once Told Story of Sorrow and Regret” graphite

Bill Glass, “Dotted Swirls” clay

David Pruitt, “Fire Carrier” clay

David Pruitt, “Warrior” clay



will-chavez@cherokee.org • (918) 207-3961