Chickasaw student’s submission is selected Butterfly Art Contest winner

This article appeared in the January 2018 edition of the Chickasaw Times

SULPHUR, Okla. – In 2014, Chickasaw citizen Kaitlyn Tingle turned heads with her meticulous butterfly drawing. That year, she was the winner of the Chickasaw Nation Butterfly Art Contest.

This year, once again, she has wowed judges with her artistic skill.

Miss Tingle won the 2018 Dynamic Women of the Chickasaw Nation Conference Butterfly Art Contest. Her butterfly will serve as the artwork accompanying all materials promoting the 2018 Women of the Chickasaw Nation Conference.

The butterfly is symbolic of the beauty, inspiration and determination of Chickasaw women throughout history.

Miss Tingle is the daughter of Gary and Michele Tingle. She is a 2017 graduate of Sulphur (OK) High School. She is now a freshman at Oklahoma State University.

She is majoring in sociology with an emphasis in anthrophony and art history.

“I am interested in these areas because I want to contribute to and help preserve my tribe’s culture for future generations,” Miss Tingle said. “My dream job is to be a museum curator.”

Art holds a special place in her heart. Her first art class during junior high spurred her passion.

“To me, a butterfly symbolizes strength, beauty and grace,” she reflected. “Even though she looks delicate, she also has great strength as she has been on a great journey. She has grown and changed as she emerges from her cocoon to face the world. She is strong and powerful and has been given the gift of flight. She is a magical and dynamic creature created by God to bring others inspiration, hope and joy.”

The Chickasaw Nation Butterfly Art Contest is conducted annually in conjunction with the Dynamic Women of the Chickasaw Nation Conference.

The conference recognizes the strength and leadership of Chickasaw women from all walks of life and salutes the valuable contributions, talents and skills of Chickasaw women.

The 2018 conference will be April 19-20, at the WinStar Convention Center.

For more information, visit www.chickasaw.net/DynamicWomen or contact Chickasaw Nation Arts & Humanities at (580) 272-5520.