Art masters compete

By Travina Coleman
Phoenix Features Writer

November 01, 2008 10:57 pm

— Marcy Smith, a judge for the Masters Art Show, said it’s hard to judge the masters’ entries.
“You have to be very technical with the entries,” said Smith, a Muskogee artist. “These artists have already obtained recognition so we have to go deeper.”
The Five Civilized Tribes Museum Masters Art Show and Sale begins today and runs to Nov. 30.
A reception and awards ceremony will be at 6:30 p.m. Saturday in the museum. The public is welcome to meet the Master Artists.
Master Artist Joan Hill of Muskogee said the show is a wonderful thing for artists who are more established in the career.
“It’s wonderful for the museum to give a showcase for our art,” Hill said. “The show keeps the spirit of culture alive. It is defined by the artist, and it shows the culture is alive and well and thriving and not something forgotten.”
Created in 1973, the Masters Art Show is an annual event. The title of Master Artist was given to the program by Martin Wiesendanger, who was at the time judging the seventh annual Competitive Art Show.
The title Master Artist given by the Five Civilized Tribes is an honor, said Betty Price of Oklahoma City, retired executive director of the Oklahoma Arts Council.
“There is certain criteria that has to be met to qualify as a Master candidate,” said Price, who judged the competition with Linda Griever, who owns art galleries in Muskogee and Tulsa. “You have to submit work in the Five Civilized Tribes Open Shows and then be nominated. Then the board decides.”
The title of “Master Artist” remains the highest honor the Five Civilized Tribes Museum can give an artist. A total of 35 artists have been inducted into this prestigious program.
Artists competing in this year’s show are: Troy Anderson of Siloam Springs, Ark.; Jimmie Carol Fife-Stewart of Washington; Gary France of Edmond; Joan Hill of Muskogee; Norma Howard of Stigler; Murv Jacob of Tahlequah; Gwen Coleman Lester of Claremore; Skip Rowel of Haywood; Bert Seabourn of Warr Acres; Jason Stone of Locust Grove; Virginia Stroud of Tahlequah and Dorothy Sullivan of Norman.

If you go
WHAT: 2008 Masters Art Show and Sale.
WHEN: 1 to 5 p.m. Sundays and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily through Nov. 30.
WHERE: Five Civilized Tribes Museum, 1101 Honor Heights Drive.
ADMISSION: $3, adults; $2, seniors 65 and older; $1.50, students; and free, children under 6. Group rates for 10 or more are available.
INFORMATION: Call 683-1701, e-mail 5civilizedtribes@sbcglobal.net or visit the Web site at fivetribes.org.

Art show winners
The winners of the 2008 Masters Art Show were announced at an awards ceremony on Saturday night at the Five Civilized Tribes Museum. Thirteen Master Artists participated in this year’s show with 41 total entries.

Virginia Stroud won Best of Show with her acrylic painting titled “The Boat People.” The painting depicts the historic Ross’ Landing, established by John Ross in 1816. Numerous Cherokee parties left from the landing in 1838 bound for Indian Territory.
“Morning Whispers,” acrylic on canvas, by Bert Seabourn from Warr Acres won the Indian Heritage Award. Seabourn has been a Master Artist at the Five Civilized Tribes Museum since 1976. His paintings are in museums and galleries throughout the world.
Five Master Artists won the Spirit of Oklahoma Awards during the evening. Jason Stone, a wood sculpture, won for his work in sassafras wood titled “Trouble Brewin’.”
Norma Howard, a watercolorist, won for her untitled painting; Howard became a Master Artist in 2007. “Autumn of My Life,” an acrylic on paper, by Dorothy Sullivan, was among the winners. Murv Jacob’s painting titled “Groundhog Day” portrays a time when animals could talk. Joan Hill’s artwork, “Blessing of the Harvest,” rounded out the Spirit Awards.
Other winners included:
• Gary France, “Training the Littlest Feather Dancer.”
• Gwen Coleman Lester, “Bloodline.”
• Troy Anderson, “Kingfishers Medicine.”
• Skip Rowell, “Man of Honor.”
• Benjamin Harjo Jr., “Freedom and Oppression.”
• Jimmy Carol Fife-Stewart, “And the Beat Goes On.”
Sponsors include Oklahoma Arts Council, National Endowment for the Arts, Muskogee Phoenix, Love Bottling and Kirschner Foundation.
“Without the help and support of our community leaders, the museum would not be able to provide quality programs for the people of Muskogee,” said Mary Robinson, executive director.
The museum offers new exhibits. Information: 683-1701, e-mail 5civilizedtribes@sbcglobal.net or visit fivetirbes.org.

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