Don’t forget! Artesian Arts Festival May 28 in Sulphur


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

SULPHUR, Okla. – Native art and artists will be featured and celebrated at the Artesian Arts Festival, Saturday, May 28 in Sulphur.

For the third year, the Chickasaw Nation is hosting the Memorial Day weekend arts festival at the Artesian Plaza. Festivities begin at 10 a.m. and run through 8 p.m.

A community celebration of all forms of art, Native American artists and art are the main focus of the festival.

The event features diverse art media and a variety of visual art including paintings, basketry, jewelry, sculpture, metalworking, bead work, textiles and pottery.

Approximately 100 Native artists from across the country will be represented during the 2016 Artesian Arts Festival.

Open to artists from all federally-recognized tribes, artists will compete in 21 categories. Cash awards will be presented for first, second and third place in each category, as well as “Best of Show.”

Esteemed artists representing 10 states and a wide variety of Native American tribes will be participating in the Artesian Arts Festival.

Artists scheduled to participate include Chickasaw textile artists Margaret Roach Wheeler and Maya Stewart, renowned Cherokee potter Jane Osti, award-winning Chickasaw bladesmith Daniel Worcester, Tim Tate Nevaquaya, and many more.

Dozens of booths lining Muskogee Street in Sulphur will display works of the artists. Artists will also be demonstrating, sharing or discussing their craft in the ARTesian Art Gallery throughout the day.

The daylong festival will also highlight a variety of musical entertainment, tribal dance demonstrations and regalia.

Bands will provide continuous entertainment on two stages. The musical line-up for the event includes a range of entertainment such as children’s music, alternative rock, pop, Latin pop, country and more.

Four Native dance troupes, including the Chickasaw Nation Stomp Dancers, Native American Hoop Dance, the Pueblo Enchantment Dancers and Magic Circle Entertainment are scheduled to demonstrate and share native dances.

Food trucks and food booths serving festival fare such as roasted corn, kettle corn, Indian tacos, barbecue, funnel cakes, ice cream and more are planned for the Artesian Arts Festival.

A special area for children’s activities and a senior citizens’ arts and crafts booth are also planned for the day.

Open to the public at no charge, the Artesian Arts Festival welcomed more than 4,500 visitors to last year’s festival.

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

The Artesian Plaza is located adjacent to the Artesian Hotel and Spa, 1001 W. First Street.