— Jon Mark Tiger of Eufaula was named the 2012 Master Artist at the Five Civilized Tribes Museum’s Masters Art Show this month. Tiger is a full-blood Muscogee (Creek) and a member of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation of Oklahoma. He first entered art shows in high school. In 1973, he won two major awards in the Student Art Show at the museum. The award-winning artist’s work has been shown all across the United States and as far away as Germany. His latest show will be later this month at the Museum of the American Indian in Washington, D.C.

“It was an honor to present the 2012 Master Award to Jon; he has been a wonderful supporter of the Five Civilized Tribes Museum,” Mary Robinson, the director of the museum, said in a media release. “His traditional artwork speaks volumes about his belief in continuing tribal heritage.”

This year’s Masters Art Show was dedicated to the late Master Artist William (Bill) Rabbit of Pryor. He was named a Master Artist in 1986. His work is very versatile in design and his use of color was symbolic of his love for life. Rabbit’s paintings often included exaggerated images of Indian men and women in long colorful robes.

The evening concluded with the announcement of the winners of the 2012 Masters Art Competition. Seven awards were given.

They included five Spirit of Oklahoma Awards:

• Skip Rowell for “This is As Far As I Can Go.”

• Victoria McKinney for “Wind Warrior.”

• Anita Caldwell Jackson for “Focused.”

• Gary France for “Night Seers.”

• Jeanne Rorex Bridges for “Working Her Allotment.”

The Indian Heritage award was given to Norma Howard for “Choctaws Along the Bayou.” Enoch Kelly Haney received the 2012 Best of Show award for “Unconquerable Spirit,” a bronze relief modeled after his famous painting, “Mark of the Knife.”

The artists of the southeast are great storytellers, dedicating long hours to research before committing their work to canvas or clay. Artists participating in this year’s show include: Troy Anderson of Siloam Springs, Ark.; Chief Enoch Kelly Haney of Norman; Joan Hill of Muskogee; Norma Howard of Stigler; Anita Caldwell Jackson of McAlester; Gwen Coleman Lester of Claremore; Gay France of Edmond; Murv Jacob of Tahlequah; Victoria McKinney of West Fork, Ark.; Gary Montgomery of Shawnee; Skip Rowell of McAlester; Virginia Stroud of Tahlequah; Bert Seabourn of Warr Acres; and Dana Tiger of Park Hill.

Sponsors of this year’s Masters Art Show are Martha Griffin and the Oklahoma Arts Council.

Through state appropriations and grants from the National Endowment for the Arts, the Oklahoma Arts Council funds art events and art education programs throughout the state. Projects funded by the Oklahoma Arts Council generate matching funds, creating public/private partnerships that in turn affect Oklahoma’s economy throughout the state’s rural and urban communities.

Information: (918) 683-1701, www.fivetribes.org or 5civilizedtribes@sbcglobal.net.