TULSA — In celebration of authentic Native American art, the 19th annual Cherokee Art Market returns to Tulsa, Saturday and Sunday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Tulsa.
The juried market features the work of more than 160 Native American artists representing 45 federally recognized tribal nations.
More than $75,000 in prize money was awarded last Friday evening to artists competing for top honors, including this year’s Best of Show, “Caddo Story of the Flood,” by Caddo Nation citizen Chase Kahwinhut Earles.
The traditional southeastern tribal-style pottery is made with hand-dug clay and freshwater muscles and stands nearly 2 feet tall. It depicts the Caddo flood origin story, which showcases the history of the tribe’s relationship with water and the creator.
With nearly 60 winners in eight classes, the following highlights the 19th annual Best of Class winners, with the full list of winners available at www.CherokeeArtMarket.com.
Class 1, Painting, Drawing, Graphics & Photography: Kindra Swafford, Cherokee Nation, “Director’s Chair.”
Class 2, Sculpture: Regina Free, Chickasaw Nation, “Osi (Chickasaw=Eagle).”
Class 3, Beadwork/Quillwork: Della BigHair-Stump, Crow Tribe of Montana, “Indigenous Couture.”
Class 4, Basketry: Jacob Waytula, Cherokee Nation, “A Basket.”
Class 5, Pottery: Chase Kahwinhut Earles, Caddo Nation, “Caddo Story of the Flood.”
Class 6, Textiles: Valerie Kagan, Cherokee Nation, “Modern Day Beloved.”
Class 7, Jewelry: Joe Reano, Santo Domingo Pueblo, “Eclipses of Shades.”
Class 8, Diverse Art Forms: A Wayne ‘Tay Sha’ Earles, Caddo Nation, “Tah’-Na-ha HakA=yu’= White Buffalo.”
Anna Mitchell Award: Lillie Vann, Cherokee Nation, “Exposed.”
Culture Keeper Award: Valerie Kagan, Cherokee Nation, “Modern Day Beloved.”
Innovator Award: Monica Silva Lovato, Santo Domingo Pueblo, “Three Sisters.”
Jesse Hummingbird Legacy Award: Michael Toya, Pueblo of San Felipe, “Winter Hummerz.”
Native American Art Magazine Editor’s Choice Award: Sayokla Kindness-Williams, Oneida Nation, “Takwehya’lak: Remember Us All.”
The market features cultural demonstrations, presentations and artist conversations with some of the nation’s top Native American artists each day.
Winning work for the annual youth competition is also on display. The Cherokee Art Market Youth Competition and Show was created to encourage Native youth artists to learn to compete on an adult level and is open to all Native American students in grades 6-12 who are enrolled in a federally recognized tribe.
This year’s first place winners include: Grades 6-8, 2D, Victoria Schaffer, Cherokee Nation, “Crawdad”; Grades 6-8, 3D, Elizabeth Earles, Caddo Nation, “Caddo Hatsida”; Grades 9-10, 2D, Blythe Hall, Osage Nation, “Daughters of the Land”; Grades 9-10, 3D, Jeanette Sherwood, Cherokee Nation, “Brother Bison”; Grades 11-12, 2D, Shalayna Bell, Muscogee Nation, “Red Heart”; and Grades 11-12, 3D, Elizabeth Schuknecht, Cherokee Nation, “Widows Web.”
In addition, the market features a special exhibit showcasing work acquired from the Cherokee Artist Recovery Act. The act was authored by Chief Chuck Hoskin Jr. and Deputy Chief Bryan Warner in 2022 to give relief to Cherokee artists after the COVID-19 pandemic negatively impacted their income and livelihood. The exhibit features work acquired by Cherokee Nation through the historic legislation and provided guests an opportunity to learn about the tribe’s ongoing efforts to support Cherokee 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 $10 per person, and children under 12 are free.
Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Tulsa is off Interstate 44 at exit 240. For more information, visit www.hardrockcasinotulsa.com.
