Copyright © 2003 NLThomas
All Rights Reserved
News from the Cherokee Nation
Copyright © 2003 CNO
Oklahoma City, Oklahoma - The Cherokee Heritage Center, Cherokee Heritage Arts, and Red Earth Inc. are partnering to bring central Oklahomans a display of contemporary Cherokee Art in the show, "Facing East: Cherokee Art in the New Indian Territory."The show will open July 1 and run through October 31 at the Red Earth Inc. museum located at the Omniplex, 2100 NE 52nd Street, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma Museum hours are Tuesday through Friday 9:00 am to 5:00 pm, Saturday 9:00 am to 6:00 pm, and Sunday 11:00 am to 6:00 pm. The phone number is 405-427-5228.
The opening reception will be held July 18, from 6:00 to 9:00 p.m. The public is invited to enjoy the show and museum for free and meet many of the participating artists.
"Facing East" is dedicated to the memory of Dr. Howard Meredith, a Longhair Clan Cherokee author and educator who recently passed away. His paintings and prints will be shown for the first time. Many of the artists in the show are his relatives, friends, and students, who were inspired by his lifelong dedication to the Native American community.
Curator of the show is Dr. Meredith’s daughter, America Meredith, a Red Paint Clan Cherokee, and an artist who is active in the Native American community. She is currently teaching Cherokee Art History through the Cherokee Clemente Course of the University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma.
Featured artists include painters Murv Jacob and Sam Watts-Kidd from Tahlequah, both of whose work is inspired by the pre-columbian Cherokee art. Peggy Sanders Brennan of Edmond and Bessie Russell of Rose will both exhibit their traditional baskets hand-colored with vegetable dyes. Talmadge Davis of Tahlequah and Dianna LaFerry Thomas of Norman will show prints. Jane Osti of Tahlequah and Victoria Mitchell Vazquez of Welch will show their pit-fired ceramic sculptures, made from Georgia and Oklahoma clay. Cora Lathrop of Tahlequah will show her photography, and Lorene Drywater will display her unique buffalograss dolls.
Other traditional crafts that are difficult to find in central Oklahoma will be available for sale, such as Judge Blossom’s turtle shell rattles and Jim Sequichie’s turtle shell stomp dance shackles.
For a complete listing of artists and more information, visit the following path, http://www.ahalenia.com/east.
All of the artists are currently residing in Oklahoma or grew up in our state. Although many Cherokee people live elsewhere, the majority resides in Oklahoma. Both the Cherokee Nation and the United Keetoowah Band are based here, with their capitals located in Tahlequah, Okla. - the terminus of the infamous Trail of Tears. There are over 200,000 enrolled Cherokees today. Nine thousand of them still speak the Cherokee language, which is prominently featured in many of the works included in the show.
Red Earth Inc., established in 1978 in Oklahoma City, is dedicated to the preservation of American Indian cultures. Established in 1967 in Park Hill, Oklahoma, the Cherokee Heritage Center is dedicated to the preservation and promotion of Cherokee history and culture. An outgrowth of the Cherokee Heritage Center, Cherokee Heritage Arts promotes traditional Cherokee arts and crafts.
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Related paths and contact information:
Red Earth Inc.
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America Meredith 'Visual Artist' |
| Related contact information: |
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Mike Miller, Cherokee Nation Director of Communications Phone: 918-456-0671 (ext.2210) Fax: 918-458-5580 E-mail: Communications@cherokee.org
Larry Daugherty, Advertising Manager |
Steven Swogger, Agriculture Liaison Natural Resources Department Phone: 918-456-0671 (ext.2546) FAX: 918-458-7673 E-mail: sswogger@cherokee.org
Bradley D. Peak, Cherokee Nation |