Photo by Christian ToewsMany of the art show winners were able to attend the award ceremony which was held at the Choctaw Cultural Center prior to Labor Day this year.
2023 Art Show Winners
October 2, 2023
Painting
First Place: Paul King, “Forever Chahta: Building Traditions”
Second Place: Candace Shanholtzer, “Choctaw Drummer”
Third Place: Rodney Ridge, “Fire Dancer”
Digital Art & Mixed Media
First Place: Susan Locke Charlesworth, “We Gather Around the Sacred Fires”
Second Place: Bobby Von Martin, “Four Generations”
Third Place: Tammy Shelton Wilson, “Momma Bear’s Love”
Sculpture
First Place: Lyman Choate, “Faith, Family, and Culture”
Second Place: Kelton Cloud, “Squash Blossom Basket”
Third Place: Ross Ridge, Sculpture: “1835 New Beginnings”
Basketry
First Place: Debbie Baker,”First Purse”
Second Place: Susan Locke Charlesworth, “Indigo Shadows of our Ancestors Designs”
Third Place: Lizabeth Mitchell, “Large Storage Basket”
Drawing
First Place: Paul King, “A, Chahta Sia”
Second Place: Gwen Coleman Lester, “Choctaw Drum”
Third Place: Lisa Taylor, “Vlla Nakni”
Jewelry
First Place: Cliff Wilson, Jr., “Shooter”
Second Place: Cliff Wilson, Jr., “Chahta Game”
Third Place: Antonia Ruston, “Beaded Gold Snake Dangle Earrings”
Diverse Art Forms
First Place: Edmon Perkins Jr., “Sinti Lapitta Horned Serpent”
Second Place: Jeanette Ozee, “CNO Seal”
Third Place: Gregg Standridge,
“Kicking Up Dust”
Fiber Art
First Place: Debra Pruett, “Twined Skirt”
Second Place: Margaret Riley Santhanam, “Women’s Skirt”
Third Place: Jane Semple Umsted, “Rev. Bertram Bobb”
Overall Winners
Best of Show
Dylan Cavin, “Sunday’s Expenses”
Choctaw Heritage Award
Edmon Perkins, Jr., “Sinti Lapitta Horned Serpent”
People’s Choice
Antonia Ruston
“Beaded Gold Snake Dangle Earrings”
Himmak Pila “Future” Award
Lyman Choate, “Wondering What’s Ahead”
Honorable Mention
Samuel Paul Stitt, “Sam’s Bag”
Best of Show: Dylan Cavin "Sunday’s Expenses"
Himmak Pila "Future" Award: Lyman Choate "Wondering What’s Ahead"
Photos by Christian Toews