Chickasaw Nation 11th Annual Artisian Arts Festival

The 11th Annual Artesian Arts Festival was held last weekend in Sulphur, Okla. The event was where the Chickasaw Nation hosts Native American’s original works of art. This year’s event was blessed with 22 Native American Nations, 140 artist booths, 19 food trucks, and 15,567 attendees according to event coordinator Selby Barnes.

Friday, April 12 was the exclusive Artist Preview Sale and Reception. An invitation from Mary Ruth Barnes Chickasaw Artist and Hall of Fame inductee 2022 was present at the event.

A preview of the displayed art work and a feature on the artists was themain attraction. After the Chickasaw Prayer came the list and background on the events artists and winners. The showcased award winners included: Cynthia Yerby best of Culture, Raylan Edaake bestof3D,KeithEdaakiebest of 2D, and Bryan Waytula best of show. The reception concluded with a special opportunity to see the artists work and a chance to visit with each artist as they discussed the pieces on display and perhaps an early chance to purchase a piece.

Saturday, April 13, had the perfect weather for such an event. Although this year had a record number of attendees and artists, the event did not seem crowded. The event featured booths for each artist to display their works and food trucks with about any type of treat and fair food one could wish to try.

Center stage at the event includedmanyNativeAmerican performances whose beautiful melodies of voice and instrument echoed slightly throughout the campus. Strolling through the booths, one could see artists and attendees engaged in conversation about the artwork.

The Artesian Arts Festival is a platform for Native American Art and Artists. The Artesian Arts Festival captivates and preserves the true tale of how beautiful America was and still is. The showcased pieces shuttle the guests back in time to show the history of the piece while also catapulting the guest into the future.

To have 11th in a title is reason enough to believe that an event is providing something that will live for generations is exactly what The Artesian Arts Festival is about. Just that simple a place for all tribes to showcase and hopefully sell their one-of-a-kind master pieces.

MaryRuthBarns,Chickasaw Nation Hall of Fame Class of 2022 stands near the art displayed at the Artesian Arts Fest.

Photo by Tom Stewart