By Vicki Cruz
Cherokee has always been a tourist town. A long time ago people would come to visit Cherokee and they would see Native Americans with long feathered head-dresses and that appealed to them and it made a great picture.
Now grandparents and parents are bringing their children back to have that same experience. But in the process, if they want to see the real, actual Cherokee, they come to the cultural district. Qualla Arts and Crafts, the Museum, the historical association, and what we offer is the true and accurate story of the Cherokee.
Qualla is going through a resurgence of art. The people from Cherokee, they are very proud of our artwork now. Some contemporary artists are even incorporating basket designs into bean bag toss boards.
When you walk in here, if you understand about basketry, pottery, and wood carving, you see the skill and the time that goes into these Cherokee arts, and it’s just breath taking.
Our job is to get the message across that the Cherokee people still make baskets, and they can still be functional. However, now they are considered a piece of art as well.
Generations of Cherokee families have passed down basket weaving, pottery, or wood carving arts. It’s something to identify with, and it makes you proud that we are more than just people.
Our art is our legacy. It tells who we are.
For more about art on the Qualla Boundary, watch The Stone Carver.