Artesian Arts Festival attracts record crowd, features top Indian art

CONTRIBUTED BY Dana Lance, Media Relations.

This article appeared in the July 2016 edition of the Chickasaw Times

SULPHUR, Okla. – The perfect combination of elite Native art, entertainment, savory food and brilliant weather drew record crowds to the annual Artesian Arts Festival May 28 in downtown Sulphur..

The 2016 Chickasaw Nation Artesian Arts Festival drew more than 6,500 visitors. The experience included the art of more than 90 Native artists representing 17 tribes.

One of the fastest growing Native American Arts festivals in the country, the Artesian Arts Festival has tripled its number of participating artists in the three years since inception.

Governor Bill Anoatubby said the growth of the festival was a testament to the widespread interest in Native American art.

“It is very gratifying to see such tremendous interest in Native American art, because Native American artists make such a significant contribution to the culture of Oklahoma and the United States,” Gov. Anoatubby said. “We are very pleased such a wide variety of talented artists from Oklahoma and across the U.S. made the commitment to be a part of this festival.

“We appreciate all the support we receive from the City of Sulphur and local residents, because the city and the nearby Chickasaw National Recreation Area provide an ideal setting that contributes a great deal to the success of the festival.”  

Native artists from 17 tribes and 10 states were part of the Artesian Arts Festival competition. The competition included 21 different art categories including photography, beadwork and quillwork, photography, basketry and pottery.

Named “Best of Show” of the 2016 Artesian Arts Festival was the Mike Dart entry “The Burdens We Carry.”

Cherokee potter Karin Walkingstick had a banner day, winning second place in the pottery category and experiencing brisk sales at her art tent.

“The Artesian Arts Festival marks the best sales day I have ever had,” she said. “It beat my sales in Santa Fe from last year. There were only two pieces of pottery left by the end of festival. People were just flooding in like someone opened a gate.”

Ms. Walkingstick and fellow Cherokee painter Mary Beth Thompson are also gearing up to exhibit their works at Sulphur’s ARTesian Art Gallery June 3-Aug. 13 as a part of the Nafki Talhlha’pi’ (The Art of the Five Brothers) Series.

Artesian Arts Festival participating artist Jim Trosper, a Chickasaw photographer, spent many hours preparing for the festival and was pleased with the positive reception.

“Preparing for this (Artesian Arts Festival) made me take my efforts to a new level,” he said. “I wanted to bring photographs like no one has experienced before, and I think I accomplished that.

“The crowd is much larger than last year. The Chickasaws have been great to me. This festival is just going to keep getting better and better.”

Crowds streamed through the Artesian Plaza area throughout the day. Some admired art in the dozens of artists’ booths, while others sampled the many food booths or lingered near one of the two stages to enjoy musical acts or Native dancers. One Native dance group, the Pueblo Enchantment Dancers, traveled from New Mexico to participate in the festival.

Several artists were also demonstrating, sharing and discussing their craft in the ARTesian Art Gallery during “Art Talks.” Renowned Chickasaw artist Mike Larsen started the day’s events with a live paint demonstration.

In addition, there was a special area for children’s activities and a senior citizens’ arts and crafts booth.

Food vendors served festival favorites including ice cream, cheese fries, onion burgers, barbecue, gumbo, snow cones, Indian tacos and kettle corn.

For more information about the Artesian Arts Festival, or upcoming art exhibits or classes, contact Chickasaw Nation Arts & Humanities at (580) 272-5520, by email at artistinfo@chickasaw.net.