Copyright © 2000 NLThomas
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TAHLEQUAH, OK - The 29th Annual "Trail of Tears Art Show" and the "Portraits of Cherokee Nation Chiefs" exhibit opened May 6 and will continue through May 28, 2000.

The oil paintings of Cherokee Chiefs from 1828 to the present were commissioned and donated by K.S. "Bud" Adams Jr., Cherokee tribal member.

The juried art show offers a $1,500 Grand Award and $7,400 in prizes, sponsored by the Bank of Oklahoma and Texaco. All art show items are for sale.

Thelma Vann Forrest, Cherokee Master Craftsman, will teach a class on "Cherokee Basketry" May 13 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. The class will focus on natural dyes and techniques for processing honeysuckle. A $25 fee covers lunch and materials.

The Spring Gospel Sing and Fry-Bread Cook-off will be held Saturday, May 27. The fry-bread cook-off will begin at 11 a.m., with judging at 3 p.m. Ribbons will be awarded to finalists.

Several local groups will participate in the outdoor gospel sing from 4-8 p.m. Guests are encouraged to bring lawn chairs. Call Aaron LeMaster at the Heritage Center for details.

On June 17, the "2nd Annual Car Show" will be held from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Festivities begin with a parade to the Cherokee Heritage Center where the public can view entries and shop for rare parts at the automotive swap meet. Booth spaces for the swap meet are $25. Door prizes will be drawn throughout the day. Trophies and T-shirts will be awarded in each class--original, modified, unfinished, people's choice and best of show. Categories are cars, 1900-1941, 1945-1954, 1955-1957, 1958-1965, 1966-2000; and trucks, 1900-1941, 1945-1954, 1955-1959, 1960-2000. Winners will be announced at 3 p.m.

The 1st Annual Cherokee Games, Cherokee Chase 10k run and 1-mile Fun Run are scheduled for Saturday, June 24. Cherokee games will begin at 9 a.m. There will be demonstrations of traditional games, as well as competition in stickball, marbles, chunky ball, blowgun and bow and arrows. There is no entry fee. Trophies and other prizes will be awarded to the winners.

The Cherokee Chase begins at 8 a.m., registration is at 6:30 a.m. The course will be in Park Hill. A $15 registration fee is required which includes a free T-shirt. The Fun Run is for those who may want to participate in a less strenuous run.

The "Summer Cultural Showcase," each Saturday in June and July, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., will feature a Cherokee artisan demonstrating their talents and selling their works. Some participants are Bessie Russell, Master Basket Maker; Shawna and Roger Cain, river cane basketry and gourd mask makers: Victoria Mitchell and Crystal Hanna, potters; and Sean Grayson, stone carver. It is an opportunity for customers to purchase traditional Cherokee crafts and encourage Cherokee artisans in their cultural work. Contact Aaron LeMaster for details.

Patrick Whelan, deputy director, announces the following tentative schedule of summer entertainment for the amphitheater:

June 24 - "Baby Blues" featuring the Tulsa Indian Actors Workshop with local drums in a contemporary drama about a fancy dancer;

Grand Opening on July 1-"Full Circle" featuring Cherokee storyteller Gayle Ross; Bill Miller folk singer/musician and great American Indian dancers.

July 22-"Oklahoma Traditions," Gene McFall as Will Rogers the MC, Byron Berline Band with bluegrass music, Les Gilliam, country western singer, Mahenwadose Will Hill with storytelling; and Mitchs Brew with jazz;

August 12-"Club Red," an evening of improvisational comedy featuring Charlie Hill, Bruce King, Peggy Berryhill, Carla Plante and Steve Tokar; and,

August 25--a blues concert with Indigenous or Red Rock.

Ticket prices will vary and show times are 7:30 p.m. Group rates are available. Call for confirmation.

An opening reception for the "Martha Berry Beading Exhibit" will be June 24 from 2-4 p.m. Exhibit items will include examples of Southeastern and contemporary beading, including bandolier bags, pipes, men's legging garters, belts, pouches and lady moccasins. Berry, an Oklahoma Cherokee from Tyler, Texas, served as a costumer with the Ice Capades and was a delegate to the 1999 Constitutional Convention in Tahlequah.

An exhibit of "Sequoyah Orphan Training School Pottery" will begin August 5 and run through October 27. The public is invited to an opening reception from 2-5 p.m. on Saturday, August 5.

During the 1930s and 40s, students at the Sequoyah Orphan Training School in Tahlequah created beautiful works of pottery. The instructor encouraged them to study ancient Native American southeast pottery and then create pieces that reflect their study. This unique pottery is one of the greatest treasures from that time. The exhibit is dedicated to Cherokee potters.

In addition to Sequoyah pottery, the exhibit will debut pottery created by the Cherokee Heritage Center. The center hopes to cultivate a widespread appreciation for Cherokee Heritage Pottery. Both contemporary and traditional pieces will be shown.

Staff of the Cherokee Heritage Center has developed a "Wish List". Items needed in good working order include office dividers, color copiers, golf carts, desks, a toilet, trees, shrubs, plants, file cabinets, microfilm printer/reader, digital cameras, video cameras, color printers, a refrigerator, a slide projector and an overhead transparency projector.

Mary Ellen Meredith, interim executive director, explained the wish list. "What may be excess for you or your business, would really be useful to us; and we know tax deductions are always useful." Donors may call Meredith to make arrangements for delivery.

Several positions are available for AmeriCorps' Vista volunteers to serve as coordinators in marketing, development, volunteer recruitment and education. Anyone age 18 and over can apply. Vista members work full time for at least one year in return for a monthly stipend, health insurance, day care benefits, nearly $5,000 for school expenses or past education loans or an additional $1,200 stipend and valuable experience working as a volunteer with a cultural nonprofit organization as part of a professional team. Duties will include recruiting, developing and supervising a volunteer base, networking, research and working with staff.

For information about becoming a Vista Volunteer with the Cherokee Heritage Center, contact Patrick Whelan or Rhonda Clemons.

Summer hours, beginning May 6 through Labor Day, 7 days a week, are 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. Guided tours in the Ancient Village begin May 6.

The first Saturday of each month is "FREE ADMISSION DAY" at the Cherokee Heritage Center Museum for any member of a federally recognized nation, tribe or band of Cherokees. Proof is required.

For more information, write to: Cherokee Heritage Center, P.O. Box 515, Tahlequah, OK 74465, or call toll-free 1-888-999-6007, send e-mail info@CherokeeHeritage.org, or visit our web site http://www.CherokeeHeritage.org.