Choctaw Nation
DURANT – The 21st Annual Choctaw Nation Art Show winners have been named. The show featured original works by more Choctaw artists than any previous year. There were 141 pieces by adult artists and six by youth juried into the show. Artists from eight states were accepted into the competition. The show concluded Sept. 10 at the Choctaw Cultural Center in Durant.
2026 Choctaw Art Show Winners
Basketry
- First Place: “Fire Colors Diamond Basket” by Colton James
- Second Place: “Shaker Basket” by Lizabeth Mitchell
- Third Place: “Labor Day Special” by Yasmine Myers
- Honorable Mention: “The Spirit of Blackjack Mountain” by Susan Locke Charlesworth
Beadwork
- First Place: “The Message” by Deana Ward
- Second Place: “Shohmalali (Reflection)” by Deana Ward
- Third Place: “Changing Times” by Meridith Cantrell
- HM: “Falvmmichi (Reflections)” by Cheyenne Sparks
Drawing/Painting
- First Place: “Choctaw Lighthorseman” by James Martin
- Second Place: “Crossing the Mountain Fork River” by Debra Irvan
- Third Place: “How Far We’ve Come” by Nancy Rhoades
- HM: “The Trickster” by Charles Edward Dye Jr.
Graphics/Photography
- First Place: “Nature’s Symmetry” by Benjamin Benson
- Second Place: “Three Messengers” by Brent Austin Cherry
- Third Place: “As Long As My Sister Is With Me” by Laura Husky
- HM: “Walking the Ancient Path” by Edmund Gene Blackwell
Jewelry
- First Place: “Silver and Turquoise Pendant” by Colton James
- Second Place: “Falcon Miko” by Michael Wayne Rose
- Third Place: “The Wanderer” by Stacey Ayers Pierce
- HM: “BakBak” by Michael Wayne Rose
Textile Art
- First Place: “Sash” by Jennifer Byram
- Second Place: “Ninak Iklanna Yohmi Kashke (Before the Clock Strikes Midnight)” by Brenda DeHerra
- Third Place: “Shoes” by Jennifer Byram
- HM: “Oka micha Hvshi Tomi” by Margaret Riley Santhanam
Pottery/Sculptures
- First Place: “Hvlbina Holittopa (Sacred Gift)” by Ross Ridge
- Second Place: “Friesian Freedom” by Priscilla Ann Krittenbrink
- Third Place: “The Wondrous Cross” by Kelton Cloud
- HM: “Ohoyo Osh Chishba Plate” by Juliette Morris Williams
Diversified Art
- First Place: “Sisters Never Again or Forgotten” by Rodney Ridge
- Second Place: “Buffalo Hoof (shoes)” by Edmon Lee Perkins Jr.
- Third Place: “Wedding Gifts a Memorial” by Brent Austin Cherry
- HM: “Sinti Yvnvsh Buffalo Snake Club” by Ross Ridge
Youth
- First Place: “Her Story” by Ava Jacobsohn
- Second Place: “My Collection” by Chloe Lynn Fann
- Third Place: “The Four Biskinik” by Issac Cherry
- HM: “Chahta Pony: Our Strength and Courage to Survive” by Channing Steve
Individual Winners
- Himmak Pila “Future” Award: “Biskinik” by Miranda Gail Fann
- Choctaw Heritage Award: “Ninak Iklanna Yohmi Kashke (Before the Clock Strikes Midnight)” by Brenda DeHerra
- Best of Show: “Choctaw Lighthorseman” by James Martin
- Okla’s Choice (People’s Choice): “Sisters Never Again or Forgotten” by Rodney Ridge