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Tahlequah, OK - The winners of the 33rd Annual Trail of Tears Art Show were recently announced at an awards luncheon held at the Cherokee Heritage Center. The show features more than 200 works from numerous artists. These talented artists competed for more than $10,000 in prize money in the following seven categories: Painting, Graphics, Sculpture, Miniatures, Basketry, Pottery, and Trail of Tears Theme.

First, second and third prizes were awarded in all seven categories, as well as a Grand Award and numerous Honorable Mentions. This year's Grand Award winner is Norma Howard for her watercolor painting "Gathering River Canes."

Howard is a Choctaw-Chickasaw Indian. She began drawing at an early age, using the crayons her father bought and later taught herself to paint with watercolors. Today, the images that Howard paints are a combination of personal reflection and Native American heritage.

A central theme in all of Howard's paintings is family. One of seven brothers and sisters, her family often struggled against poverty on the same parcel of land that her mother, Ipokni, homesteaded after walking 500 miles from Mississippi to Oklahoma in 1903.

In spite of financial hardships, however, Howard's personal memories of her family are joyful and exuberant. Whether painting images of youth play or remembering sharing the same bed with four sisters and her mother, the artist always manages to depict a deep sense of commitment and affection.

Howard received $1,500 for the grand prize award. Other cash prizes were also given to the first, second and third prize winners in all seven categories. First place received $600, second received $400, and third place received $200. Guests of the show can vote on their favorite works for the highly sought after People's Choice Award. This award earns the artist $100.

These cash awards were made possible by sponsors Bank of Oklahoma and the Oklahoma Arts Council.

Winners of the seven categories are:

Painting 1st Place: America Meredith 2nd Place: Murv Jacob 3rd Place: Joan Che-se-quah Hill Honorable Mention: Talmadge Davis, Brooks Henson and William Varnell Sculpture 1st Place: Troy Anderson 2nd Place: Kevin Pourier 3rd Place: Will Wilson Honorable Mention: Dean H. Cheek and Robert McMurtry Pottery 1st Place: Jane Osti 2nd Place: Sonja K. Ayres 3rd Place: Jane Osti Honorable Mention: Mike Daniel, Crystal Hanna and Diego Romero

Miniature/Painting 1st Place: Jon Mark Tiger 2nd Place: Jerry Shinn 3rd Place: Brooks Henson Honorable Mention: Patty Harjo Shinn Basketry 1st Place: Maxine Stick 2nd Place: Carlene Wiley 3rd Place: Kathy VanBuskirk Graphics 1st Place: Gwen Coleman-Lester 2nd Place: Tom Fields 3rd Place: Tom Fields Trail of Tears Theme 1st Place: Jon Mark Tiger 2nd Place: Sonja K. Ayres 3rd Place: PJ Gilliam Stewart

The 33rd Annual Trail of Tears Art Show and Sale will be shown at the Cherokee National Museum, located on the grounds of the Cherokee Heritage Center, through June 21. Works are prominently displayed in the museum's gallery as well as in the Blue Room located in the Cherokee Family Research Center. All work is for sale but can not be removed until the closing of the show except for the items located in the Blue Room. For more information on this prestigious show and other Cherokee Heritage Center events, call 918-456-6007, or call toll free 888-999-6007, and visit the Cherokee Heritage Center web site and the Cherokee Heritage Pottery site!

Related contact information:

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 Cherokee Nation - Public Affairs Phone 918-456-0671 (Ex.2324) E-mail: ldaugherty@cherokee.org

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 Natural Resources Specialist Phone: 918-456-0671 (ex.2843) E-mail: bpeak@cherokee.org