The 39th Annual Red Earth Festival once again brought together an incredible community of Native artists from across the country.

    This beloved tradition is not only a celebration of Indigenous creativity and culture but also an opportunity to recognize outstanding achievements in a variety of artistic categories.

    This year, the talent on display was truly inspiring — each piece a reflection of deep cultural roots, storytelling, and artistic excellence.

    We are honored to announce the winners of the 2025 Red Earth Festival Art Awards:

    Basketry
    1st
    Mary Aitson
    "Weaving Time"
    2nd
    Ronda Moss
    "Hiding in Full Color"
    3rd
    Debra Keazer
    "Spiny Surprise"
    Beadwork/Quillwork
    1st
    Yonavea Hawkins
    "Coo-Hoo (Alligator) Dance"
    2nd
    Stephen White
    "Good Times"
    3rd
    Stephen White
    "Spring Thunder"
    Clothing/Textiles and Weaving
    1st
    Melissa Freeman
    "Chahta Ohoyo Wedding Dress"
    2nd
    Melissa Freeman
    "Onnahinli Okhlika - Dark Morning"
    3rd
    Brent Cherry
    "Choctaw Diamond Shirt"
    Cultural Items
    1st
    Darius Charley
    "Little Grandma"
    2nd
    Paul Hacker
    "Wolf Clan"
    3rd
    Daniel Worcester
    "Mosaic Belt"
    Digital Art & 3D Art
    1st
    Jeremy Salazar
    "To The Good Hills"
    2nd
    Monica Silva Lovato
    "Three Sisters"
    3rd
    Jeremy Salazar
    "Vision of Bad Hand"
    Diversified Artforms
    1st
    Grant Morris
    "Adanowa Tivdatsi (War Cougar)"
    2nd
    Daniel Worcester
    "Big Fish"
    3rd
    Gary Farris
    "Treasure Keeper II"
    Drawing/Graphics/Photography
    1st
    James Starkey
    "Chief Whiteswan With Possibles Bag and Wintercount"
    2nd
    Paul Hacker
    "Praying Down The Moon"
    3rd
    Adrian Redbird
    "Art World"
    Jewelry Contemporary
    1st
    Ray "Duck" Garcia
    "Spring Bird Dancing"
    2nd
    Ray "Duck" Garcia
    "Red Earth Gathering"
    3rd
    Rykelle Kemp
    "Mvskoke Sun Necklace"
    Jewelry Traditional
    1st
    Avery Aguilar
    "Butterfly Spring Shell"
    2nd
    Monica Silva Lovato
    "Mama Wears My Heart On Her Wrist"
    3rd
    Nicholas Jackson
    "King Of Bolos"
    Painting Oil/Acrylic
    1st
    Stuart Sampson
    "Ride In"
    2nd
    Gwen Coleman Lester
    "Variations On A Sash"
    3rd
    Brent Cherry
    "Choctaw No More"
    Painting Waterbased
    1st
    Candace Shanholtzer
    "The Sentinel #71"
    2nd
    Pat McAllister
    "Crow Trilogy"
    Pottery Contemporary
    1st
    Doris John
    "Earth Tone Seed Pot"
    2nd
    Monica Silva Lovato
    "Evolving Traditions"
    3rd
    Karin Walkingstick
    "Abundance (Cooking Pot)"
    Sculpture
    1st
    Grant Morris
    "Adatlisri Yanasi (Running Bison)"
    2nd
    Grant Morris
    "Dalnonige Uwohali (Yellow Eagle)"
    3rd
    Karin Walkingstick
    "Games People Play"

    Last but certainly not least, we give special recognition to the winners of our distinguished awards

    • Dana & Terry Brown Grand Award

      J. Dylan Cavin

      “This Land of Ours”

    • President’s Award

      Merlin Little Thunder

      “My Talk With The Moon”

    • Kathleen Upshaw Award

      Victoria McKinney

      “Confronting Silence”