19th annual Homecoming Art Show opens Aug. 22
Cherokee Heritage Center accepting submissions until Aug. 4
TAHLEQUAH, Okla. — Cherokee artists still have time before the Aug. 4 deadline to submit their best work to the 19th annual Homecoming Art Show at the Cherokee Heritage Center.
On Aug. 22, Cherokee Heritage Center officials will host an awards reception from 6-8 p.m. to announce the winners of $11,000 in prize money that is sponsored by Cherokee Nation Businesses. The show opens to the public Aug. 23.
“The annual Homecoming Art Show showcases the best of Cherokee art at a time when thousands of Cherokees converge in Tahlequah for the annual Cherokee National Holiday celebration,” said Dr. Candessa Tehee, executive director of the Cherokee Heritage Center. “The great thing about this show is you not only get to see amazing art, but you also have the opportunity to purchase items and support these talented artists.”
The annual event runs through Sept. 21 and will feature a variety of authentic Cherokee art divided into two divisions.
The traditional division is defined as arts originating before European contact and consists of three categories: basketry, pottery and traditional arts.
The contemporary division is defined as arts arising among the Cherokee after European contact and consists of seven categories: paintings, sculpture, pottery, basketry, beadwork, jewelry and textiles.
All entries must be submitted to [email protected] by Aug. 4 at 5 p.m. CST. A $10 submission fee per piece is included to help support art show expenses. Cherokee National Treasures, Wisdom Keepers and current Cherokee National Historical Society members are exempt from the entry fee.
A photograph of the completed work, completed entry form and entry fee must be submitted at the same time or the entry will be disqualified. Accepted artwork will be posted on the Cherokee Heritage Center website on Aug. 8.
Artists must be at least 18 years of age and a member of a federally recognized Cherokee Tribe; i.e., Cherokee Nation, United Keetoowah Band of Cherokee Indians (full-membership status), or Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians. A copy of the artist’s tribal citizenship card must accompany the entry.
The Cherokee Heritage Center is the premier cultural center for Cherokee tribal history, culture and the arts. It is located at 21192 S. Keeler Drive, Park Hill, Oklahoma.
For more information about the Homecoming Art Show, 2014 season events, operating hours and programs, please contact the Cherokee Heritage Center at (888) 999-6007 or visit www.CherokeeHeritage.org. It can also be found on Facebook by searching “Cherokee Heritage Center.”
PHOTO CUTLINE: Virginia Stroud was awarded the grand prize in 2013’s Homecoming Art Show for her acrylic piece titled “Traders Come.” The painting depicts a busy day of trading between Cherokees and European settlers.
