Red Earth is currently seeking art entries from Native American students ages 9-18 for the 32nd Annual Red Earth Youth Art Competition and Show. The event is held during the annual Red Earth Festival, scheduled June 8-10 at the Cox Convention Center in downtown Oklahoma City. The show and competition is sponsored by the James H. & Madalynne Norick Foundation.
The Red Earth Youth Art Competition is open to Native American youth ages 9-18 with divisions in three age groups. Youth participants can enter seven art categories including cultural items, jewelry, photography, pottery, painting/drawing/graphics, sculpture, basketry and beadwork. Prize money is awarded to the top three winners in each division category, along with a “Best of Show” award.
Through the years, the Red Earth Festival has matured into one of the most respected visual and performing arts event of its type, setting the standard for many of today’s Indian art shows held throughout America. The Red Earth Festival is regarded as the largest event of its type in the world.
Recent Red Earth Youth Art Competitions have drawn young artists from throughout the Midwest and Southwest United States. Many youth art participants have gone on to have successful careers as professional artists,
Xeneca Le Clair (Otoe-Missouria/Pueblo of Laguna) from Red Rock, OK received 2017 Best of Show for her entry in the Cultural Items Category. Other 2017 First Place winners in the Red Earth Youth Art Competition included:
Division I (ages 9-12)
Elysabeth Ruelas (Chickasaw), Warr Acres, OK, Basketry
Kiki Shawnee (La Biloxi/Choctaw), Tulsa, OK, Beadwork
Karolina Allen (Creek), Sapulpa, OK, Cultural Items
Kaden Emery (St. Croix Chippewa), Corrales, NM, Jewelry
Anita Ashley Mitchell (Cherokee), Grapevine, TX, Painting/Drawing/Graphics
Kiki Shawnee (La Biloxi/Choctaw), Tulsa, OK, Photography
Tatum Ryan (Seminole/Choctaw), Shawnee, OK, Pottery
Kristen Harper (Cherokee/Seneca Cayuga), Owasso, OK, Sculpture
Division II (ages 12-15)
Sydney Anderson-Cullum (Choctaw), Oklahoma City, OK, Basketry
Sydney Anderson-Cullum (Choctaw), Oklahoma City, OK, Beadwork
Kelly Cooke (Chickasaw), Ada, OK, Graphics
Justine Nieto (Santo Domingo), Lawrence, KS, Jewelry
Jean Fletcher (Cheyenne/Arapaho), El Reno, OK, Painting/Drawing
Angelina Bruner (Chickasaw), Ardmore, OK, Photography
Alyssa Underwood (Comanche), Yukon, OK, Pottery
Division III (ages 16-18)
Hokte Petete (Seminole/Creek), Edmond, OK, Basketry
Laura Dennis (Chickasaw), Ardmore, OK, Beadwork
Fathlyn Seawright (Chickasaw/Choctaw), Ada, OK, Cultural Items
Avery Underwood (Comanche), Yukon, OK, Graphics/Photography
Madeleine Freeman (Choctaw/Chickasaw), Oklahoma City, OK, Jewelry
Avery Underwood (Comanche), Yukon, OK, Painting/Drawing
Rikinda Ivins (White Mountain Apache), Anadarko, OK, Pottery
Madeleine Freeman (Choctaw/Chickasaw), Oklahoma City, OK Sculpture.
Youth art participants must deliver their artwork in person on Thursday, June 8 between 9 am and noon at the Cox Convention Center. Artwork can be delivered by the artist, parent, or a teacher. Entries are limited to one entry per artist per category, but students may enter in as many categories as they wish. Cash awards for Best of Show and first, second and third place in each category will be presented during an awards ceremony scheduled 3 pm Sunday, June 10 at the Red Earth Festival.
Red Earth, Inc. is an Allied Arts member agency and is funded in part by the Chickasaw Nation, Choctaw Nation, Oklahoma Arts Council, National Endowment for the Arts, Oklahoma City Convention & Visitors Bureau, Great Plains Coca Cola Bottling Co, and Tinker Federal Credit Union. Red Earth, Inc. is a 501 (c) 3 non-profit organization with a mission to promote the rich traditions of American Indian arts and cultures through education, a premier festival, a museum and fine art markets.
Visit www.RedEarth.org or call (405) 427-5228 for additional information including ticket and lodging discounts.
