PARK HILL — Friends Gail Pomeroy of Wisconsin and Kathy Balcom of Tennessee on Wednesday made a special trip to the Cherokee Heritage Center.

The reason was “Beadwork Storytellers, a Visual Language.”

The exhibition provides a unique glimpse of Southeastern Indian culture as told through rare and intricate beadwork assembled from museums throughout the world.

“It’s all so beautiful,” Balcom said. “Everything about it; the time that went into it and the quality. Nowadays, we’re so lazy that we don’t put that much effort into things.”

Pomeroy said that she was impressed with both the Native American art work and the way it was presented.

“It looks top quality,” she said. “When they described it as a visual language, I wanted to see how that plays out, that it’s not just something that is decorative. The displays are informative; they’ve really done a good job.”

The exhibition features approximately 30 rare historical southeastern beaded artifacts and 20 contemporary pieces by southeastern bead workers. In addition, there are historic photos along with other rare items that provide a view of Southeastern Indian craftsmanship.

Heritage Center Curator Mickel Yantz and Guest Curator Martha Berry collaborated with private collections and numerous museums throughout the world including the University of Aberdeen in Scotland, Denver Art Museum, American Museum of National History, Autry National Center and many more. Funding is made possible in part by a grant from Cherokee Nation Enterprises, Robin Flint Ballenger, chief executive officer of Flintco and generous patrons of Cherokee arts.

Although the show features creations from hundreds of years ago, it also features contemporary artists. On hand was Mary HorseChief-Henderson, whose three pair of beaded moccasins are included.

“I’m more of a painter, but my mother taught me to make Cherokee moccasins and also taught me how to bead,” she said.

Her three pieces of footwear were titled “White Path,” “Red Path” and “Legend of the Fire.”

HorseChief-Henderson said White Path represented peace, Red Path represented war, and Legend of the Fire represents an ancient Cherokee story.

“The way I was taught was that artwork is very important to being able to pass on history,” she said. “The designs of the moccasins are not necessarily traditional Cherokee, but the images and stories are very Cherokee.”

HorseChief-Henderson said she learned her techniques from both her family and from studying.

“My family has always been artists,” she said. “One thing we learned is that you always do your research.”

Yantz said the threads, textiles and beads have passed down stories and history through generations. He said he hopes the public will come away with special memories.

“I hope they see the uniqueness of Southeastern beadwork from the Plains beadwork that has been represented so much in the mass media and Hollywood,” he said. “This is one of the stereotypes we’re trying to break.”



If you go

WHAT: “Beadwork Storytellers, a Visual Language.”

WHERE: Cherokee Heritage Center, 21192 S. Keeler Drive, Park Hill.

WHEN: Saturday through April 19, 2009.

ADMISSION: On Saturday, the heritage center will host a reception from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. open to the public. During this one-time reception there will be no admission charge to the Cherokee Heritage Center. At all other times, admission is: adults $8, children $5, senior citizens 55 and older and students with I.D. $7.50.

HOURS: Monday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. The exhibition and the museum will be closed during the month of January.

INFORMATION: 456-6007.