Cherokee Blog

(Artist, Suzi Nonn of Naturally Yours)

In 2002, beloved gourd artist Jerry Lewis of California founded the first Gourd Gathering in Cherokee, NC, as an opportunity for fellow craftspeople to meet and share their methods. Over the years, it became known as a “reunion” among guests. When Jerry passed away, new coordinators stepped up to ensure that the event carried on and was successful.

Today, the annual Gourd Gathering at Cherokee continues to bring people from all over the country together. The next event will take place Thursday through Sunday, June 1–4, 2017. Entry is free, while classes vary in costs.

Artists and enthusiasts alike may see gourds in a whole new light. Gourd artists meet for four days to exchange ideas...

The Kananesgi Pottery Festival is set for Saturday, April 28, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Cherokee Fair Grounds. Attendees can look forward to storytelling, vendors selling pottery, and presentations on Cherokee Pottery. The Pottery Festival’s purpose is to be an educational resource for people interested in Cherokee pottery, a sales opportunity for the potters (and a chance for buyers to meet the potters behind the work), and a chance for potters to talk to each other.

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.

At any age, artists bring their own perspective and experience to their craft. In addition to learning from those who came before, makers within the same generation can impact each other’s work. “Renewal of the Ancient: Cherokee Millennial Artists” will open September 1 at the Museum of the Cherokee Indian in Cherokee, NC. This new exhibit features more than 60 works from 18 artists who are members of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians, ages 40 and under.

Meet the Atsila Anotasgi Cultural Specialists, a group of highly knowledgeable and skilled cultural ambassadors for Cherokee, based out of the Museum of the Cherokee Indian. Their name means “fire builders” and their mission is to share traditional aspects of Cherokee culture with the rest of the world.