Oklahoma City, OK - Red Earth, Inc. is proud to announce Debra S. Keazer, a talented Cherokee pine needle artist from Wichita, Kansas, as the winner of the 2024 Red Earth Emerging Artist Award.
The Red Earth Emerging Artist Award, established in 2018, provides grants and funding to promising Native American artists, allowing them to participate in Oklahoma City’s award-winning Red Earth Festival. The winner of the award receives a booth space at the Festival Art Market, an opportunity to compete in the Red Earth Festival art competition, and a stipend to assist with expenses.
Debra's artistic journey in pine needle art, initially a personal passion and a means to preserve a cherished traditional art form, has recently blossomed into a professional pursuit. Embracing her artistry full-time following her retirement, Debra has transformed what was once a lifelong hobby into an emerging artistic vocation. Despite facing physical challenges, Debra’s passion for her craft never waned. Her resilience and dedication to pine needle coiling have led her to create unique and beautiful baskets, each with its own story and design.
Debra's recent ventures into the professional art scene have garnered notable acclaim. Her work was recognized at the Trail of Tears Art Show and at the Cherokee Homecoming Art Show. Beyond her creative talents, Debra is deeply invested in the educational aspect of her art. She actively engages in teaching and sharing her expertise in pine needle coiling, playing a vital role in the preservation and rejuvenation of this traditional art form.
Debra Keazer will be honored in a special awards ceremony on March 21st, acknowledging her outstanding work and her unwavering commitment to cultural preservation and education.
The award-winning Red Earth Festival will draw thousands to the National Cowboy and Western Heritage Museum the weekend of March 22-24. Artists from throughout the nation will be featured in a juried art market that coincides with spectacular Dance Showcases and demonstrations.
General admission day tickets are $15 and include admission to the Red Earth Art Market with general admission seating for the Red Earth Dance Showcases. A $30 three-day ticket is also available. Children 6 and under are admitted free of charge.
Red Earth, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization and an Allied Arts member agency. This project was supported in part by the Oklahoma Arts Council, which receives support from the State of Oklahoma and the National Endowment for the Arts along with Chickasaw Nation, KFOR, Kirkpatrick Family Fund, OKC Convention and Visitors Bureau, Vickie Norick and Chickasaw Community Bank. Red Earth’s mission extends beyond the festival, encompassing education, a museum, and fine art markets, all aimed at advancing the understanding and continuation of Native American culture and arts.
For more information about the Red Earth Festival and Debra Keaser’s recognition as the 2024 Emerging Artist, please visit www.RedEarth.org or contact Red Earth, Inc. at (405) 427-5228.
