Cherokee Blog

Wondering what to do in Cherokee this spring? Whether you're interested in exploring history, live cultural performances, and arts and crafts, or if you want to get outside for golfing, fishing, or amazing hikes with waterfalls, it's all in Cherokee and it's all on the list. Check it out!

On August 29th, from 9 am to 4 pm, the 13th annual Open Air Indian Art Market will be held outside Qualla Arts and Crafts Mutual. Visitors can meet some of the member artists, shop their wares, and enjoy live craft demos including beadwork, woodwork, stone carving, jewelry making, basket weaving, and pottery. There will also be live music during the day, and traditional Cherokee dinners for sale made by members of the North American Indian Women's Association (NAIWA). The event is free and open to the public.

Learn Eastern Band of Cherokee pottery styles, the history of the craft and more at the first Didanisisgi Pottery Festival April 16th. Several renowned potters will be sharing their techniques in on-site demonstrations and will have their work available for sale along with traditional Cherokee cuisine served by The North American Indian Women’s Association (NAIWA).

Schedule

Schedule

Generations of Cherokee artists are represented at the Qualla Arts and Crafts Mutual, the nation’s oldest Native American Cooperative that preserves and promotes the traditional arts and crafts of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians. While the shop is open year round, the annual Open Air Indian Art Market provides visitors an opportunity to meet many Cherokee artists who are members of Qualla Arts and Crafts, and watch them create their masterpieces.

Join over 20 Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians artists December 4-6, 2020 for the Kananesgi Virtual Art Market. Kananesgi is the Cherokee word for spider. The spider represents creativity in our culture. In 2020, Kananesgi Art Market organizers had to match the event namesake and the artists’ creativity because of Covid-19.