"the People's Paths!" Cherokee News Path - Inaugural Cherokee Art Market

"Cherokee potter Jane Osti prepares pottery in preparation of the upcoming Cherokee Art Market to be held October 13 – 17 at the Cherokee Casino Resort in Catoosa. Cherokee potter Jane Osti prepares pottery in preparation of the upcoming Cherokee Art Market to be held October 13 – 17 at the Cherokee Casino Resort
in Catoosa."

TULSA, OKLAHOMA – Cherokee Casino Resort will play host to nearly 200 distinguished Native American artists from across the country during the Cherokee Art Market, October 13 – 15 in Catoosa.

The event-filled weekend kicks off Friday, October 13, at 7 p.m. with a gala art reception to award $75,000 in art competition prize money. The reception includes music, a silent auction, cash bar and food. As an added bonus, the gala art reception ticket stub will allow admission to a special pre-showing of the art market at 9 a.m. on Saturday, October 14. Admission to the gala is $20 per person, and tickets may be purchased at the door.

The Cherokee Art Market is free and open to the public from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily. Held under tents in the north parking lot of Cherokee Casino Resort, a wide array of Native American artwork will be on display and for sale. Living art will be prominently featured as well. There will be storytelling, basket weaving and traditional Native American music.

“Our mission is to foster appreciation for Native American art from all nations,” said Chad Smith, Principal Chief of the Cherokee Nation. “This year, we hope to cultivate interest in Southeast Native American art and spotlight Cherokee culture.”

A free educational symposium will be held in conjunction with the Cherokee Art Market. A wide array of subjects, including contemporary Cherokee issues and Cherokee art history, will be presented by prominent figures such as Wilma Mankiller, former Principal Chief of the Cherokee Nation, renowned historian Rennard Strickland and Cherokee Nation Tribal Council member Taylor Keen. Closing out the list of activities are performances by the Cherokee National Youth Choir, Micki Free, and Tommy Wildcat, among others.

Also on hand to celebrate Native American art will be members of the Cherokee Art Market Steering Committee, such as Tulsa Mayor Kathy Taylor, Flintco Companies Chair Robin Flint-Ballenger, former Oklahoma Congressman Brad Carson and his wife Julie and Tennessee Titans owners Bud and Nancy Adams.

For a complete schedule of dates and times, or for more information, please visit the Cherokee Art Market online or call 918-728-4531.