Masters Art Show winners show change

Mon, May 12 2008

— “The Times They Are A-Changing” by Master Artist Benjamin Harjo Jr. received Best of Show at Saturday’s opening at the Five Civilized Tribes Museum.
Harjo (Seminole-Shawnee) always knew he was cut out to be an artist. He and his wife, Barbara, live in Oklahoma City but his career has taken him all over the world. Harjo’s humor is expressed in his colorful abstract paintings. Often compared to Picasso, he continues to look for new and exciting ways to create art.
The Indian Heritage award was presented to Master Artist Virginia Stroud for her work titled “Cane Processing.” This award is given to the artwork that expresses the culture and heritage of the tribes. Over the last few years Virginia has turned her interest to researching and painting parts of her ancestors everyday life. She lives in Tahlequah, where she enjoys a successful career as a painter and writer.
Five additional Master Artists received the Spirit of Oklahoma award. Dana Tiger’s painting, “Opvnka, Short Break,” depicts the modern day stomp dancers. She lives with her family in Park Hill, teaching her children to follow in her creative footsteps.
Bert Seabourn’s “Tribal Council Man” won a Spirit of Oklahoma Award. In his paintings, Seabourn never tries to make a complete statement. He believes every serious artwork should create a reaction in the viewer. If it makes the viewer react, think or make a judgment, it has achieved success. Bert and his wife live in Warr Acres, he continues to paint and teach. His resent published book is available at the museum.
“Sleeping Under Watchful Eyes” by Bill Glass Jr. is a great example of his use of a combination of traditional and contemporary techniques. Bill works in the field of ceramics to create his sculptures. As a Spirit of Oklahoma winner, the art displays various designs commonly used during the Mound Builders Era. Bill and his son, Demos, share a studio in Locust Grove where they collaborate to create pieces of public art.
Jimmie C. Fife-Stewart won a Spirit of Oklahoma Award with her painting “1986 – Haley’s Comet Again?” In many of her paintings Jimmie uses very old Creek symbols, in other she portrays Creek life of later times and sometimes as modern as today. She works out of her studio in Washington.
Siloam Springs, Ark., Master Artist Troy Anderson rounded out the Spirit of Oklahoma awards with his bronze sculpture, “The Race Between The Hummingbird and The Crane.” Troy owns and operates his own foundry where he continues to produce bronze sculptures. Also an avid painter, Anderson combines texture and color elements with aesthetics of wildlife and Native American figures, creating a collage of images that combined, reveal a mystical expression.
“The Masters Art Show opening was an overwhelming success” according to Mary Robinson, executive director of the Five Civilized Tribes Museum.
Opening night brought out numerous art patrons to help celebrate the Master Artists. Many of the artists were on hand to welcome the guests to the show.
The Masters Art Show will be on display until Nov. 30. All of the artwork is for sale.
Museum hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday and 1 to 5 p.m. Sunday. Admission: adults, $3; seniors, $2; students, $1.50; and free, members and children under 6. Information: 683-1701 or fivetribes.org.