Chickasaw Art

Chickasaw artists speak of their past, present and future with voices heard through paint and canvas, metal, glass, textiles, music and performance. In the videos below, experience the rich artistry of the tribe – immerse yourself in the creativity, and discover your own unique spark.

7 Items

Te Ata: Inspirational Storyteller

Lisa Billy
Lisa Billy recounts the ways in which the renowned Chickasaw Te Ata Fisher contradicted the norms of her day.

Being a Chickasaw Bladesmith

Daniel Worcester
Daniel Worcester talks about gathering inspiration from artisans of old, and how he fuses this inspiration into works incorporating vivid colors.

Pottery: Drawn to Chickasaw History

Joanna Underwood Blackburn
Joanna Underwood Blackburn was introduced to pottery as a college student at the University of Oklahoma.

Inspiration from My Ancestors

Kristen Dorsey
Though Kristen Dorsey was born and raised in Los Angeles, far from the majority of her people, her Chickasaw heritage still holds great meaning.

Brenda Kingery: Threads of Blessings

Meet Our People – The Enduring Spirit of the Chickasaw Nation
In this extended cut, see Brenda Kingery's travels to Honduras, her experience with local women to create a beautiful, hand-made banner.

Passing on Crafts to Family Members

Michael and Tim Cornelius
Michael Cornelius is a flute maker who specializes in crafting traditional Chickasaw flutes he constructs from river cane.

Margaret Wheeler on Her Creative Process

Margaret Roach Wheeler
Sometimes a full night's sleep is the best way to overcome the intimidation of starting a new project.