Top Honors Announced at Trail of Tears Art Show

Cherokee Art Show Grand Prize
L-R: Junior Miss Cherokee Maysi Fields and Miss Cherokee Lauryn Fields stand with the 52nd annual Trail of Tears Art Show grand prize, “ᏚᏙᎠ ᏥᏍᏚ ᎤᏂᎩᏍᏗ (Her Name is Wild Rose)” by Cherokee Nation artist Roy Boney, Jr.

TAHLEQUAH, OK – The longest-running Native American juried art show and competition in Oklahoma announced its top honors during a reception at the gallery in Cherokee Springs Plaza. The 52nd annual Trail of Tears Art Show and Sale is open to the public April 8 through May 6 and features a variety of authentic Native art, including 137 works from 92 artists representing 19 tribal nations.

Cherokee Nation artist Roy Boney Jr. earned this year’s top recognition for “ᏚᏙᎠ ᏥᏍᏚ ᎤᏂᎩᏍᏗ (Her Name is Wild Rose).” The watercolor, pencil and ink piece depicts Deer Woman as a student at the Cherokee Female Seminary, blending Cherokee history and legend in a stunning array of rich hues with a supernatural feel.

“Cherokee Nation’s support of the Native art community is at an all-time high,” said Cherokee Nation Principal Chief Chuck Hoskin Jr. “We are working every day to support the arts across the Cherokee Nation Reservation and beyond through historic investments like the Cherokee Artist Recovery Act and by calling on Congress to amend the federal Indian Arts and Crafts Act to better protect the rights of Indian artists. From authentic art shows and new venues for art and cultural demonstrations to historic investments, the best days are certainly ahead of us.”

Trail Of Tears Art Show 2023
Award winners from the 52nd annual Trail of Tears Art Show gather for a photo following the opening reception.

Through the juried show, artists compete for more than $16,000 in various categories. The following summary highlights the grand prize, first-place and special award winners:

Trail of Tears Art Show Category / Place Artist Name / Affiliation / Art Piece
GRAND PRIZERoy Boney, Jr., Cherokee Nation, “ᏚᏙᎠ ᏥᏍᏚ ᎤᏂᎩᏍᏗ (Her Name is Wild Rose)”
Painting, First PlaceNorma Howard, Chickasaw Nation, Choctaw Nation, “Picking Wild Onions”
Sculpture, First PlaceJon Williams, Cherokee Nation, “Moses Bearpaw”
Basketry, First PlaceVivian Cottrell, Cherokee National Treasure, “Basket of Berries”
Pottery, First PlaceCrystal Hanna, Cherokee Nation, “Oklahoma Alligator”
Jewelry, First PlaceTiffany Reiter, Cherokee Nation, “Wanderlust”
Graphics, First PlaceDylan Cavin, Choctaw Nation, “The Man from Osage”
Miniature, First PlaceNorma Howard, Chickasaw Nation, Choctaw Nation, “Choctaw Camp”
Diverse Art Forms, First PlaceJulie Burk, Cherokee Nation, “Lost and Found”
Photography/Digital Art, First PlaceJeff Edwards, Cherokee Nation, “Cherokee DNA Tree of Life”
Trail of Tears AwardJeremy Thompson, Seminole Nation, “Simanó-li: Far From Home”
Emerging Artists, First PlaceLaney Cully, Cherokee Nation, “Walnut in Stages”
Jennie Ross Cobb Photography AwardRobin Stockton, Cherokee Nation, “Strength Revealed”
Betty Scraper Garner Elder AwardTama Roberts, Cherokee Nation, “Taking Flight”
Bill Rabbit Legacy AwardTonia Hogner-Weavel, Cherokee National Treasure, “Turkey Glow”


The 52nd annual Trail of Tears Art Show and Sale is on display at the gallery in Cherokee Springs Plaza. Artwork featured in the show is available to purchase online and in-person.