Cherokee Nation awards top honors at 20th annual Cherokee Art Market

TULSA, Okla. - In celebration of Native American art, the 20th annual Cherokee Art Market returns to Tulsa Saturday and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Tulsa.

Two decades since its launch, Cherokee Art Market has grown into one of the largest Native American art markets in the state, bringing together artists and collectors from across the country.

The juried market features the work of more than 170 Native American artists representing nearly 50 federally recognized tribal nations.

More than $75,000 in prize money was awarded to artists competing for top honors, including this year's Best of Show "Caddo Story of Night + Day: Traditional Caddo Jar" by Caddo Nation citizen Chase Kahwinhut Earles.

Made of hand-dug clay, the jar features engravings that represent the traditional Caddo story of night and day.

Caddo Nation citizen Chase Kahwinhut Earles with his Best of Show winning piece, "Caddo Story of Night + Day: Traditional Caddo Jar."

With nearly 60 winners in eight classes, the following highlights the 20th annual Best of Class winners, with the full list of winners available at https://www.CherokeeArtMarket.com.

Class 1 - 2D Art

Bobby Martin, Muscogee (Creek) Nation, "Intertwined #2"

Class 2 - Sculpture

Joshua Adams, Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians, "Rise of the Serpents"

Class 3 - Beadwork/Quillwork

Leith Mahkewa, Oneida First Nation, "Kaientho Kwen: Harvest Moccasins"

Class 4 - Basketry

Holly Pyke, Saint Regis Mohawk Tribe, "Turtle Island"

Class 5 - Pottery

Chase Kahwinhut Earles, Caddo Nation, "Caddo Story of the Night & Day: Traditional Caddo Jar"

Class 6 - Textiles

Jamie Bennett, Muscogee (Creek) Nation, "This May Be the Last Time"

Class 7 - Jewelry

Ernest Benally, Navajo Nation, "Beauty Around Us"

Class 8 - Diverse Art Forms

Tony Tiger, Sac & Fox Nation, "Community Arbor: Fathers & Sons"

Anna Mitchell Excellence in Southeastern Pottery Award

Crystal Hanna, Cherokee Nation, "Mom Forgot My Measles Vaccine!!"

Culture Keeper Award

Joseph Byrd, Cherokee Nation, Quapaw Nation, Osage Nation, "Uktena #1"

Innovator Award

Chase Kahwinhut Earles, Caddo Nation, "Coyote Races Turtle: Caddo Vans Shoes Effigy"

Jesse Hummingbird Legacy Award

Kristin Gentry, Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma, "Biskenile (Woodpecker)"

Native American Art Magazine Editor's Choice Award

Troy Jackson, Cherokee National Treasure, "Battle Series 5 Assimilation and Acculturation"

The market features cultural demonstrations, presentations and artist conversations with some of the nation's top Native American artists each day.

In addition, winners of the annual Cherokee Art Market Youth Competition, held virtually this year, were announced.

The Cherokee Art Market Youth Competition was created to encourage Native youth artists to learn to compete on an adult level and is open to all Native American students in grades 6-12 who are enrolled in a federally recognized tribe.

This year's first place winners include:

Best of Show

Elizabeth BahNoos Earles, Caddo Nation, "Rolling Kuku (Water)"

Grades 6-8 2D

Isiah Ruiz, Cherokee Nation, "The Cherokee Artifact"

Grades 6-8 3D

Josephine Cirullo, Miami Tribe of Oklahoma, "She Who Dances"

Grades 9-10 2D

Olivia Daugherty, Cherokee Nation, "The Knowledge That They Pass On"

Grades 9-10 3D

Maelee Thomas, Cherokee Nation, "ᎧᎿᏁᏍᎩ (The Spider)"

Grades 11-12 2D

Madissen Buck, Osage Nation, "Crow"

Grades 11-12 3D

Hayden Rathkamp Robbins, Cherokee Nation, "ᏣᎳᎩ ᎠᏥᎸᏍᎩ (Tsalagi Atsilvsgi)"

Cherokee Art Market is presented by Cherokee Nation Businesses and is open 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. in the Sequoyah Ballroom at Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Tulsa. Admission is $10 per person.

Additional sponsors include Native American Art Magazine, Philbrook Museum, International Artist Publishing and Oklahoma Promo.

Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Tulsa is located off Interstate 44 at exit 240. For more information, visit www.hardrockcasinotulsa.com.