Call for Native American Artists for 2020 Artesian Arts Festival

Published October 27, 2019

SULPHUR, Okla. — The 7th Annual Artesian Arts Festival is seeking applications from all Native American artists for the 2020 festival, set Saturday, May 23, in Sulphur, Oklahoma.

Deadline to submit an application is Friday, Nov. 29.

Open to artists from all federally recognized tribes, artists will compete in a juried competition in as many as 21 categories. Artists will be notified of jury selection by mail and email.

Artists must be at least 18 years old and present documentation of citizenship in a federally recognized Native American tribe.

Cash awards will be presented for first, second and third place in each category, including Best of 2-D, 3-D, Best of Show and Best of Cultural.

The Artesian Arts Festival is hosted and sponsored by the Chickasaw Nation as a community celebration of Native American fine art and artists.

The festival features a variety of visual art including paintings, basketry, jewelry, sculpture, metalworking, beadwork, textiles and pottery.

Other attractions include Native American dance demonstrations, a children’s tent, an elders’ market area, artist talks and demonstrations, and more than half a dozen live music performances.

The Artesian Arts Festival is open to the public at no charge. It welcomed nearly 11,000 attendees to last year’s festival and featured accomplished artists representing more than 20 tribes from 12 states.

The event takes place primarily at the Artesian Plaza, located adjacent to the Artesian Hotel and Spa, 1001 W. First St., Sulphur. It spans W. Muskogee Avenue from Division Street to W. Fourth Street.

Application forms, entry rules and additional information can be found on the Chickasaw Nation website at Chickasaw.net/ArtesianFest.

For more information, contact the Chickasaw Nation Arts & Humanities Division at (580) 272-5520 or email ArtistInfo@Chickasaw.net.

About the Artesian Arts Festival

Hosted by the Chickasaw Nation, the Artesian Arts Festival spotlights prominent Native artists from across the country and celebrates Native American fine art.

A vast selection of visual art including paintings, basketry, jewelry, sculpture, metalworking, beadwork, textiles and pottery are featured at the Artesian Arts Festival.

A wide variety of musical entertainment, tribal dance demonstrations, art talks and food vendors is also planned.

The Artesian Arts Festival is open to the public at no charge. It welcomed nearly 11,000 attendees to last year’s festival and featured accomplished artists representing more than 20 tribes from 12 states.