Top honors announced from Trail of Tears Art Show, Sale

The longest-running Native American juried art show and competition in Oklahoma announced its top honors during a special reception on April 7 at the gallery in Cherokee Springs Plaza.

The 52nd annual Trail of Tears Art Show and Sale opens to the public April 8 through May 6 and features a variety of authentic Native art, including 137 works from 92 artists representing 19 tribal nations.

Cherokee Nation artist Roy Boney Jr. earned this year’s top recognition of Grand Prize for “Her Name is Wild Rose.” The watercolor, pencil and ink piece depicts Deer Woman as a student at the Cherokee Female Seminary, blending Cherokee history and legend in a stunning array of rich hues with a supernatural feel. “Cherokee Nation’s support of the Native art community is at an all-time high,” Cherokee Nation Principal Chief Chuck Hoskin Jr, said. “We are working every day to support the arts across the Cherokee Nation Reservation and beyond through historic investments like the Cherokee Artist Recovery Act and by calling on Congress to amend the federal Indian Arts and Crafts Act to better protect the rights of Indian artists. From authentic art shows and new venues for art and cultural demonstrations to historic investments, the best days are certainly ahead of us.”

Through the juried show, artists compete for more than $16,000 in various categories.

Jeff Edwards (Cherokee Nation) of Vian took first place in the Photography/ Digital Art category with his piece, “Cherokee DNA Tree of Life.”

“I’m happy to report my “Cherokee DNA Tree of Life” took home first place in the Photography/Digital Art category at the Trail of Tears Art Show tonight,” Edwards said, after learning his piece had won.

Edwards said his daughter, Emilee Edwards, also took home a second place honor with her piece titled “Cherokee Medusa.”

Edwards said Emilee has only been doing art for a year and is already placing high.

“I think I should watch out for her,” he said with a laugh. “I’m super proud of her. She has a crazy, warped work ethic like me and is not happy until it’s just right. But to get to show with your kid, that is just amazing.”

“To sum it up, the Cherokee Language Department swept the category. That should say something, don’t you think?” Edwards said.

“Congratulations to all the winners at tonight’s show. I want to personally thank each of you for supporting my crazy art campaign. It continues to be a wild ride. I am grateful,” he concluded.

The 52nd annual Trail of Tears Art Show and Sale is on display at the gallery in Cherokee Springs Plaza. Artwork featured in the show is available to purchase online and in-person.

For more information, visit https://www.visitcherokeenation.com/trail-of-tears-art-show.