Tulsa World: Cherokee Mart offers variety

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Cherokee Mart offers variety
Shop for Native American arts

This beadwork and leather piece by artist Jackie Bread took best in show at the Cherokee Art Market. This year's event takes place at the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Saturday and Sunday. Courtesy

By KAREN SHADE World Scene Writer
Published: 10/8/2009 2:24 AM
Last Modified: 10/8/2009 4:03 AM

The Cherokee Art Market is back for another year of tradition, innovation and culturally stunning works. But for the first-timer who has yet to visit the massive event taking place at the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino, finding what you want can be difficult unless you know who to ask.

We asked Travis Owens, project manager of cultural tourism for Cherokee Nation Enterprises, who coordinates the Cherokee Art Market, Saturday and Sunday.

"This is our fourth year for the Cherokee Art Market, and it brings in 150 Native American artists from around the country, a lot of Southeastern and Southwestern artists," Owens began. "These are some of the top Native American artists from across the country."

Last year, the event was held in three large tents outside the casino as it underwent construction. Since the work was completed over the summer, this year's market takes place in the Sequoyah Grand Ballroom indoors, which is better for the artists who don't need to worry about exposing their works to the elements.

Artists work in a variety of fields — jewelry, beadwork, pottery, basket weaving, sculpture, painting, textiles. Knowing what you may be interested in can be a first step.

Owens said volunteer market staff will be walking the floors ready to answer any questions and to help shoppers find the kind of art or items they are looking for.

Knowing that the market is particularly geared toward Southeastern art helps. Names such as Jane Osti (pottery) and Lisa Rutherford (beadwork) come to mind, but the staff will be able to point collectors in the right direction to other artists with value and specific types in mind.

Of course, browsing is always fun. In case you stumble upon that unique object that grabs you, you may be wondering if it is OK to negotiate with an artist on the price.

"Usually prices are not set in stone," Owens said, "but a visitor should really feel out the artist because every artist is different."

The artist is usually the first to offer a rate. From there, a potential buyer can begin to talk about a price. Some artists can get offended if they are being "bargained with." So, it's important to keep this in mind.

"Visitors and buyers need to be mindful that these are people's works that they've spent a number of hours on," Owens said. "There's definitely room for negotiations, and it's different with every artist. But if they're interested in a piece, they should definitely linger around and let the artist know just how interested they are in it. And talk with the artist."

CHEROKEE ART MARKET

When: 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday

Where: Hard Rock Hotel & Casino, Interstate 44 and 193rd East Avenue

Admission: free; for info, see tulsaworld.com/cherokeeartmarket

Karen Shade 581-8334
karen.shade@tulsaworld.com By KAREN SHADE World Scene Writer

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