Copyright © 2001 NLThomas
All Rights Reserved

Ed Jumper, accepting the Master Craftsman award for his late father, Willie Jumper, Sr, Polly Jane Whitekiller, Margaret Wilson, and Richard Shade.

TAHLEQUAH, OK - The Cherokee Heritage Center presents the opening of the Sixth Annual Cherokee Homecoming Art Show and Sale and the Cherokee Master Craftsman Honoring Dinner on Saturday, October 20 beginning at 5:30 p.m. in the Cherokee National Museum Atrium. Any member of the Cherokee Nation, Oklahoma, United Keetoowah Band or the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians are eligible to enter artwork. The event is sponsored by Bank of America and the Oklahoma Arts Council. A prize fund of $5000 will be distributed among winners in seven categories: Visual Arts; Photography; Textiles; Pottery; Basketry; Jewelry, Metalsmithing and Beading; and Traditional Arts. Deadline to enter artwork was Saturday, October 13, 2001.

The seven categories offer a wide range of unique items for excellent Christmas shopping opportunities. Last year, a visitor observed that she found a perfect gift for her "hard to shop for" husband. The art show and sale will run through the end of December.

A reception and fundraising dinner honoring all participating artists and the Cherokee Master Craftsmen will begin with a reception at 5:30 p.m. and dinner at 6:30 p.m. The cost is $100 per plate or $1,000 for a corporate table of eight. The master craftsmen are also known as National Living Treasures. This select group of artisans has been recognized by the Cherokee Nation for their accomplishments in traditional skills. To qualify, the person must be a Cherokee tribal member and have practiced their craft for at least ten years. Every two years the Cherokee National Museum holds a reception in their honor and places examples of their works in a special display.

The Master Craftsmen for 2001 include the late Willie Jumper, Rick Shade, Polly Whitekiller, and Margaret Wilson. A Posthumous Recognition goes to Willie Jumper Sr. in Stick Ball Stick Making. When it came to making the stickball sticks, Mr. Jumper would always choose the choicest Hickory trees that he could find. Mr. Jumper was quite the artisan when it came to tradition.

Mr. Richard Shade is being recognized in Bow Making. Mr. Shade is from the Lost City community and is a self-taught bowyer who has been making bows for over ten years. He has performed presentations in the art of bow making as well as demonstrations. Mr. Shade makes his bows out of Bois d' arc, Hickory and Black Locust.

Ms. Polly Jane Whitekiller is being recognized in Hand Sewn Quilting. Ms. Whitekiller is an elder from Hulbert, Oklahoma. She has been quilting since the age of twelve. Quilting keeps Ms. Whitekiller busy and she has acquired strong hands and indentions on her thumbs and fingers through all these years her sewing needles.

Ms. Margaret Wilson of Tahlequah is being recognized in Hand Sewn Quilting. She has been hand quilting for over 32 years. Ms. Wilson's mother would take her on Wednesdays to Johnson Prairie Church to sew with the ladies. She also does the old-fashioned type known as tacked quilting, where the quilt is held together by twine instead of the quilting thread.

For reservations or information, please call 918-456-6007 or toll free 888-999-6007.