The Homecoming Art Show began in 1995, over Cherokee National Holiday weekend, in honor of its artists’ shared heritage, and is an art competition and exhibition. It features twelve categories of traditional Cherokee and contemporary art. The exhibition will be held virtually and in person from August 10 through September 7, 2024, at Cherokee Springs Plaza.

IMPORTANT DATES:

o   Friday, May 31 - Show is announced and application period opens

o   Friday July 5 - Entry deadline

o   Thursday, July 10 – Accepted works posted

o   Friday, July 26– Art delivery deadline

o   Friday, August 9 – Reception and Awards 6pm

o   Saturday, August 10 – Gallery opens to the public

o   Saturday, September 7 – Last day of show

o   Tuesday, September 10-21 – Art pick up
 

Application Requirements

REQUIRED UPLOADS:

• Photos of artwork
• Tribal Registration Card
• W9
• Vendor Form

CHEROKEE HOMECOMING ART SHOW CATEGORY RULES, REGULATIONS & GUIDELINES

 Category 1: Beadwork/Quillwork : Ornamental work in beads or quills on objects, accessories, or attire.

Allowable

• Purchased glass beads, commercially tanned leather, pins and jewelry must meet jewelry standards.

Allowable with Disclosure

• Commercially produced objects that are hand-beaded. i.e., tennis shoes, bottles, etc.
• Nickel and brass beads not made by the artist must be disclosed. All feathers must comply with all state and federal laws and regulations. All attached materials, including buttons, collar tabs, beads and tin tinkers, must be properly identified and comply with jewelry standards.

 Not Allowable

• Plastic or synthetic parts of any kind, including beads, buttons, hair, hair pipe or polymer clay, commercially beaded or manufactured items of any kind.

 Category 2: Contemporary Basketry: Weaving or sewing pliable materials into three dimensional objects, such as baskets, mats, etc. Pieces can be constructed utilizing customary and/or modern materials using customary processes and innovation in fabrication.

 Allowable

• Hand worked natural or commercial fibers including but not limited to: yucca, willow, three lobed sumac, ash, hickory, honeysuckle, buck brush, pine needle, devils claw, commercial rattan or reed, metal, fabric, etc.
• Natural and commercial dyes

Allowable with disclosure

• All attached decoration or embellishments must be properly identified and comply with the jewelry standards for allowable and non-allowable materials.

Category 3: Traditional Basketry: Weaving or sewing pliable materials into untilitarian three dimensional objects, such as baskets, mats, etc. Pieces must be constructed with customary materials and processes. 

 Allowable

• Hand gathered, processed, and hewn natural materials; including but not limited to: natural plant fibers, barks, honeysuckle, buck brush, river cane, horse hair, yarn, etc.
• Natural dyes, and decoration made of natural materials.

Not allowable

• Commercial reed, splints, or other materials
• Commercial dyes or decoration

Category 4: Contemporary Pottery: Vessels and hollow objects formed from clay; fired to vitrification.

Allowable

• Pottery fired in any manner.
• Pottery made with commercial clay, glazes and temper.
• Wheel thrown pottery

Allowable with disclosure

• All decorative stone, shell or metal elements, and shell, glass or metal beads must be properly identified

Non-Allowable

• Greenware, cast, or slip mold commercial pottery.

Category 5: Traditional & Figurative Pottery: Vessels and hollow objects formed from hand cultivated clay; fired to vitrification.

Allowable

• Pottery must be hand built and made using customary Cherokee methods for clay preparation, construction, and firing.
• Clay slip painting, paddle or handmade stamp, and hand sculpted or incised design.

Allowable with disclosure

• All decorative stone, or shell elements must be properly identified.

Not Allowable

• Greenware, slip-mold, wheel thrown, or pottery constructed by any method other than hand built.
• Commercial glazes or decor
• Kiln fired pottery. 

Category 6: Jewelry: Handmade, personal ornamentation to be affixed to the body or clothing.

Allowable

• Organic and stone materials.
• Shell and natural organic materials, such as bone, wood, natural stones (turquoise,coral, lapis, etc.), other natural untreated stones and gemstones.
• Natural pearls, finished stones and gemstones in cabochon, and faceted shapes set in metal settings.All non-plated metals are allowed and must be identified clearly.
  • Gold must be 14 karat or higher.

Allowable Findings 

• For the purposes of the CHAS, these are defined as “an ingredient part of the finished product that adapts the product for wearing or use.” This includes jump rings, earring backs, clasps, barrette clips, money clips, hook & eyes, leather for bolo straps or concho belts, etc. FOR SHELL AND BEADMAKERS ONLY: single bead/cone combinations to finish ends of necklaces or earrings.

Allowable with Disclosure

• Stabilized turquoise must be disclosed to consumer.
• Commercially available coral from temporary strands must be natural and undyed. The use of this coral can be used only in combination with handmade items.
• Commercially available glass beads can be used only in combination with handmade items.
• Multiple strand glass bead necklaces strung in tribal tradition of the maker are allowed.
• Cast jewelry mold must be handmade, hand carved and poured by the artist. Castings that are made in mass-produced environments are prohibited.
• Traditional gravity (hand) poured tufa, cuttle bone or sandstone must be limited to an edition of 12 pieces.
• Wax carving and lost-wax casting can be used only for one-of-a-kind items.
• Each limited edition must be numbered and signed with the artist’s hallmark.
• Commercial chain may be used (as a finding) with hand-crafted items but not sold individually.

Not Allowable

• Imported or non-Indian handmade stone or shell beads and fetishes, excluding coral.
• Imported and/or color treated nuggets or tumbled chips of any material.
• Plastic or synthetic block reconstituted or compressed materials, such as coral, lapis, opal, etc.
• All color-treated (dyed, heated or irradiated) materials such as blue onyx, blue topaz, irradiated red coral, etc.
• Items assembled from non-Indian or manufactured components:
  • Machine-made or die-struck components or purchased cast blanks: rings,bracelets, bezel cups, leaves, bolo tips, etc.
  • Silver or other metal beads.
  • Commercially drilled or pre-strung gemstone, natural pearls or glass beads, including restrung necklaces, “treasure” necklaces, made with commercial “found” objects.
  • Machine-made “liquid” silver and gold or plated materials, gold under 14 karat.
  • Rubber mold casting(s) or ANY mass-produced items by any casting method. 

Category 7: Sculpture: Three-dimensional representative or abstract forms.

Allowable

• Hand-wrought materials including but not limited to: stone, wood, bone, antler, metal, ceramic, paper, cloth, hand-blown glass, fabricated glass, fiberglass, etc.
• Cast bronze sculpture in numbered editions, not to exceed 10 for 6’+, 24 for 3’ to 6’, 30 for 1’ to 3’ and 50 for less than 12”. All must be signed and numbered. A certificate of authenticity is recommended.

Allowable With Disclosure

• All decorative stone, shell and metal elements must be properly identified and comply with the same standards established for allowable materials and non-allowable materials for jewelry.
• Fixatives can be used to stabilize pigments,but must be disclosed.
• All termite-bored or aged wood must be non-infectious and must be disclosed. Staff reserves the right to examine and refuse such items.
• All feathers used must comply with current laws and regulations of state and federal agencies. Endangered species legislation is observed

Not Allowable

• Cast resins.
• Cast miniature sculpture intended for use as jewelry.
• Production cast open editions.

 Category 8: Textiles: Hand woven, loom woven, and sewn objects.

Allowable

• Handmade fabric objects including but not limited to: rugs, belts, blankets, shawls, clothing, tack, etc.
• Weaving: Hand (finger weaving, twining, knitting, etc.) or hand operated loom weaving of natural and commercial fibers are accepted and must be identified. Weaving must be produced by the artist.
• Sewing: Hand or sewing machine work is accepted and must be identified. Sewn items must be designed and sewn by the artist.
• Special consideration is given to hand spun, hand dyed, and natural fibers and dyes.
• Mixed media and hand embroidery.
• Special consideration is given to handmade tinklers, buttons, beads, and other ornamentation.

Allowable with Disclosure

• Machine embroidery must be disclosed

Not Allowable

• Nothing from a “kit” or anything produced from a plan or drafting NOT of your own design will be allowable.
• Sensitive Materials and endangered species.
• Plastic or synthetic parts, manufactured non-Indian or die-struck metal charms, buttons, etc., or commercially beaded items of any kind.
• Hot Glue
• Liquid embroidery
• Iron-on applique

Category 9: Traditional Arts: This division encompasses cultural objects that are functional and customary to tribal traditions.

Allowable

• This category includes but is not limited to: moccasins, drums, fans, regalia, gourds, hats, gloves, dolls and figures, marbles, bows, knives, clubs, etc.
• All weaponry must be made and sold for display purposes only.

Allowable With Disclosure

• Cultural accessories may be presented on commercially made items, i.e., hats, furs, and commercially tanned leather, but the commercial items must be disclosed.
• Feathers or animal materials must be properly identified and comply with all State and Federal regulations.

Not Allowable

• Sensitive materials and endangered species.

Category 10: Drawing, Graphics, and Mixed Media: Two dimensional works on a solid surface.

Allowable

• Original works including but not limited to: pencil, colored pencil, pastels, charcoal, oil crayons, pencil, pen & ink, mixed media, collage, and scrimshaw.
• Printmaking hand printed by artist including but not limited to: block print, lino print, lithography, relief, etching, mezzotint, aquatint, drypoint, screen printing, monotype, monoprint, mixed media prints.
  • Prints must be signed and numbered, not to exceed editions of 50.
• All two dimensional art must be appropriately framed, finished and ready for hanging with picture wire, or if size requires, "z-bar" or cleat type hanger.

Not Allowable

• Digitally manipulated or reproduced works.
• Any photomechanical reproduction, including but not limited to posters, t-shirts, tiles or mugs.
• In frame or saw-tooth hangers.

CATEGORY 11: Painting: Two-dimensional works on a solid surface

Allowable

• Original works in oil, watercolor, acrylic, gouache, tempera, etc.
• All two dimensional art must be appropriately framed, finished and ready for hanging with picture wire, or if size requires, "z-bar" or cleat type hanger.

Not Allowable

• In frame or saw-tooth hangers

CATEGORY 12: Photography and Digital Art: Two-dimensional works on a solid surface

Allowable

• Traditional photography, film or digital.
• Digitally rendered or manipulated paintings, photos or graphics.
• Prints must be signed and numbered, not to exceed editions of 50.
• All two dimensional art must be appropriately framed, finished and ready for hanging with picture wire, or if size requires, "z-bar" or cleat type hanger.

Not Allowable

• Note cards, clothing, mugs, and other mass produced items.
• AI rendered artwork.
• In frame or saw-tooth hangers

Eligibility Criteria

Artists must be at least 18 years of age and must be a citizen of a Cherokee federally recognized tribe. (Cherokee Nation, Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians, United Keetoowah Band) Documentation of tribal citizenship/membership must accompany the application.

Cherokee National Treasures’, EBCI Beloved Peoples’, and UKB Wisdom Keepers’ work is exempt from jury, as long as all procedures, guidelines, and deadlines are followed. 

Artist must submit physical work upon jury acceptance into the Cherokee Homecoming Art Show and Sale in order to be eligible for participation in the competition and exhibition.

Artists may submit up to three (3) art pieces into the competition, but only two (2) entries in the same category. Ex: Two (2) Pottery and one (1) Basketry OR one (1), Pottery, one (1) Painting, and one (1) Basketry.

If entering a collaborative piece, each artist must submit entry, noting the corresponding collaborating artist in the description of the piece.

All artwork submitted must be for sale. Artwork must not have been commissioned. Artwork must be the sole property of the registered artist and artist must have the full unencumbered right, title and interests in and to the artwork. 

Artwork must be handmade by the registered artist in the last 18 months.

Artwork that previously has been submitted at TOTAS or the Cherokee Homecoming Art Show will not be eligible for entry.

Artwork must be complete and ready to display. (Wall hanging pieces must be fitted with picture wire; no saw tooth or in frame hangers.)

Artwork must follow the guidelines for its category and size requirements.

• 2D entries may not have an image area exceeding 48” wide or 60” high. However, an artist may utilize two 2D entry space widths and enter one oversized piece or a diptych/triptych/quadtrych/etc. within that space. Maximum allowable space for a piece such as this is 96” wide and 60” high. The single piece will be counted as two of the allowable entries for the show. Mats, frames, and bases will not be measured unless they are a part of the overall artistic work, such as a painting extending onto the mat, or a frame that is part of the overall artwork. Image area is defined as being the exposed viewable area of the image.
• 3D, diverse or sculpture must not exceed 48” w x 72” h x 48” d excluding base. One 3D entry can consist of multiple pieces, but cannot exceed size limits of display.

It is each artist’s responsibility to comply with all federal and state laws regarding migratory birds and endangered species.

If there are not enough participants in a category, artwork may be added to the judging of another category at the judges’ discretion.

All works submitted will be juried for inclusion in this show. Management and judges have the right to remove any artwork that may be seen as inappropriate for the general public. Management has the right to make final decisions regarding all rules and regulations set forth by the Cherokee Homecoming Art Show and Sale.

Photography containing content considered to be ceremonial in nature: If a photographic entry contains content that could be considered ceremonial in nature, please include a written description of the content, its origins, and justification of the piece in the description portion. If the jury has further questions, the art show coordinator will contact the artist and may request written permission from the originating ceremonial ground leader. Artwork that would be subject to this rule would include but is not limited to: Photography of Stomp Grounds, with or without people; photography of any rites, rituals, or medicine being performed in progress or outcome; with or without people. CNB strives to both support and protect tribal cultures, and will refrain from contributing to any exploitation of tribal people or ceremony.

Although Judge’s decisions are final, Management retains the discretion to determine eligibility for entry into the competition. The competition directly reflects upon the Company, and competition winners must be willing and able to represent and reflect the morals and values of the Company and the CHAS. In the event that Management determines, in good faith, that an artist is unable to represent and/or reflect those morals and values, or that the artist does not reflect the values and morals of the Company and/or the CHAS, then Management retains the right to disqualify a participant from the competition. In the event that a participant is disqualified from entry into the competition, any entry fees paid by the participant will be refunded.

Officials reserve the right to prohibit an artist from participating in CHAS based on the artist’s failure to comply with the rules, regulations and guidelines of the art show and competition.

Artists may not gift anything to CNB staff or Judges.