Native Art References

Award-winning Cherokee artists include contemporary figures like Troy Jackson, Jerry Sutton, and America Meredith, as well as the historical figure and Cherokee National Treasure Anna Mitchell. Recent major awards have been presented at the annual Trail of Tears Art Show and Cherokee Art Market. 

Recent award winners

• Jerry Sutton (Cherokee Nation): In April 2025, Sutton won the Best of Show at the 54th Annual Trail of Tears Art Show for his acrylic painting, “ᎩᎳᎪᎨ Gilagoge (Spring)”.

• Troy Jackson (Cherokee Nation): A Cherokee National Treasure, Jackson is a frequent winner at tribal art markets.

  • In August 2025, he received Best of Show at the 30th Annual Cherokee Homecoming Art Show for his sculpture, "Battle of a Nation".

  • In October 2025, he won the Native American Art Magazine Editor's Choice Award at the 20th Annual Cherokee Art Market.

• Carolyn Pallett (Cherokee Nation): Pallett won two awards in August 2025 at the 30th Annual Cherokee Homecoming Art Show for her beadwork/quillwork piece, "Strength & Beauty, Alive & Growing"—the Bill Rabbit Legacy Award and first place in her category.

• Ron Mitchell (Cherokee Nation): At the 2025 Trail of Tears Art Show, Mitchell won the Bill Rabbit Legacy Award for his piece "Earth's Children".

• Bryan Waytula (Cherokee Nation): Waytula earned first place in the Drawing, Graphics, and Mixed Media category at the 2025 Trail of Tears Art Show for "The Grass Dancer".

• Valerie Kagan (Cherokee Nation): In 2024, Kagan received the Culture Keeper Award at the Cherokee Art Market for her textile work, "Modern Day Beloved". 

Prominent historical and contemporary artists

• Anna Mitchell: Known as "the grandmother of Cherokee pottery," Mitchell revived the traditional art of Southeastern pottery and was named a Cherokee National Treasure in 1988.

• Jane Osti: An award-winning potter and Cherokee National Treasure, Osti was mentored by Anna Mitchell and teaches traditional Cherokee pottery techniques.

• Joseph Erb: An award-winning artist, filmmaker, and animator, Erb is known for his work in preserving the Cherokee language and culture through digital media.

• America Meredith: A visual artist and editor of First American Art Magazine, Meredith has received multiple awards from prestigious markets and museums. Her work often incorporates the Cherokee language.

• Jeff Edwards: A graphic artist who previously worked for the Cherokee Nation, Edwards creates award-winning art that prominently features the Cherokee syllabary.

• Rose Drake: Primarily self-taught, Drake is an award-winning basket weaver whose style ranges from traditional to contemporary. She has studied historical Cherokee basketry at the Smithsonian.