Copyright © 2001 NLThomas
All Rights Reserved

Tahlequah, OK - Local artist Sam Watts-Kidd's art is featured on the 49th Annual Cherokee National Holiday poster. This year's holiday theme is "Celebrating the Seven Clans" which is also reflected in the poster art.

Sam Watts-Kidd's art and love of art has always been a part of her life. Sam is a native of Sequoyah County, located in the northeastern section of Oklahoma. Although she attended Northeastern State University where she enrolled in a maximum of seven hours of art, she is basically self-taught. Her work has been described as touching, historic and realistic. Her artwork depicts her Cherokee ancestry and her respect and honor of all Native American tribes. Through her art, chunkey players, chieftains and warriors, and the everyday life of southeastern tribes comes to life. Her artwork also depicts the honor and culture of other tribal groups.

Sam is a member of the Cherokee Nation of Oklahoma and is currently employed with the Cherokee National Historical Society and Museum in Tahlequah. Ms. Watts-Kidd holds a BA degree from Northeastern State University in the fields of Native American Studies, with a minor in Psychology. Credits and awards include the Trail of Tears Art Show, the Five Tribes Competitive Art Show, and numerous awards and commissioned works. Sam was instrumental in the 2001 opening of the permanent Trail of Tears Exhibit at the Cherokee Heritage Center in Tahlequah. Her artwork, a mural of the Trail of Tears, is featured in gallery 5 of the exhibit.

Sam's work can be found in private collections and galleries throughout the United States and Europe. She teaches basic drawing classes with an emphasis on Native American art styles, throughout the education system. She also lectures to various age groups on the subject of art and the influence of art among native peoples. Sam is very dedicated to the preservation of Cherokee history, heritage, and culture.

Sam Watts-Kidd will be signing the posters during the Cherokee National Holiday. She will be signing the posters at the Cherokee Heritage Center Museum Shop on Friday, August 31 from noon to 1 p.m.; Saturday, September 1 from 11 a.m. - noon; and Sunday, September 2 from 11 a.m. to noon. She will also be signing posters at the Cherokee Nation Gift Shop on Saturday, September 1 from 1 p.m. to 2 p.m.; and at the Cherokee Nation Complex on Satuday from 2 p.m. - 3 p.m. For more information, call 918-456-6007.