Cherokee Nation celebrated 30 years of the Homecoming Art Show in a special reception last Friday evening at Cherokee Springs Plaza, where the tribe awarded more than 35 artists.
The show is now open to the public and runs through Sept. 6 in the gallery located next to the Cherokee Gift Shop.
“For three decades this show has provided a platform for our Cherokee artists to showcase their talents,” said Cherokee Nation Principal Chief Chuck Hoskin Jr. “However, their impact goes far beyond the beautiful pieces showcased in the gallery each year. They are our culture keepers, dedicating their time to ensuring Cherokee culture continues to thrive for generations to come.”
The juried show and competition features 154 pieces by 95 artists, including the following nine Cherokee National Treasures: Roy Boney Jr., Michael Dart, Vivian Cottrell, Tonia Hogner-Weavel, Troy Jackson, Harry Oosahwee, Lisa Rutherford, Lena Stick and Kathy Vanbuskirk.
This year’s Best of Show was awarded to sculptor Troy Jackson for his 5-foot-tall ceramic and steel hanging sculpture, “Battle of a Nation.”
“Every year this show brings together a community of Cherokee artists who share a passion of culture, art and tradition,” said Callie Chunestudy, cultural programs and events project manager. “I hope as guests visit the Nation’s capital for the Cherokee National Holiday, they stop by to see firsthand that passion well-represented through each beautiful piece of art.”
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: Ryan Sanders, “Colorful Bear” Traditional Pottery: Richard Graham, “Bean Pot” Contemporary Pottery: Karla Blackfish, “Four Directions” Traditional Basketry: Vivian Cottrell, “Double Woven Rivercane Basket” Contemporary Basketry: Hattie Lee Mendoza, “Inheriting Improvisation” Painting: Ron Mitchell, “To Cut The Gordian Knot” Sculpture: Ernie Poindexter, “Brown Trout at Beavers Bend” Textiles: Cindy Evans, “Seminary School Tear Dress” Jewelry: Tyran Cartledge, “Baron Fork Treasure” Beadwork/Quillwork: Carolyn Pallett, “Strength & Beauty, Alive & Growing” Drawing, Graphics and Mixed Media: Roy Boney, “Elizabeth Kahuga Shoeboots” Photography & Digital Art: Zachary Long, “Circle & Flow.”
Other special awards include the following: Bill Rabbit Legacy Award: Carolyn Pallett, “Strength & Beauty, Alive & Growing” Betty Scraper-Gardner Elder Award: Jerry Sutton, “More Than He Can Chew” Mary Ellen Meredith Award for Humor: Ron Mitchell, “Supreme Court Rulings for Dummies” Emerging Artist Award: Vicky Watson & Jennifer Saenz, “Through the Ages” 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.
