Chickasaw art exhibitions open July 1
Chickasaw Country, Okla.—Beginning Monday, July 1, 2024, new artwork from two artists inspired by their Chickasaw heritage and the natural world will be on exhibit at the Chickasaw Visitor Center in Sulphur and the Chickasaw Nation Welcome Center in Davis.
Paige Busick is a Chickasaw artist specializing in oil painting, quilting and printmaking.
Whether I paint or sew, my work is very process-oriented,” said Busick. “I believe that stories are embedded in the materials we work with, so I give them the chance to speak.”
Paige began painting to share the beauty of Chickasaw culture. She often pairs portraits of Chickasaw women with vibrant backgrounds. Her process includes sketching with a colored pencil, underpainting and building up the paint through multiple layers.
When she quilts, it is more meditative. She quilts to feel closer to her Chickasaw ancestors.
“When I quilt,” said Busick, “I reflect on my place in this world.”
She uses scraps of fabric left over from other projects. She sews the organic shapes into patchwork without cutting them into uniform shapes. When working through improvisation, she is in conversation with her materials.
Artwork is a conversation between ourselves and those that came before us,” said Busick. “Through my work, I want to share and praise Chickasaw culture with those around me.”
Heather Bell Richardson is a Chickasaw ceramic artist inspired by objects and textures found in nature.
For me, pottery is not just about creating beautiful objects,” said Richardson, “but also about cultivating a deeper appreciation for the natural world. I find calm and peace when working with clay. I am inspired by nature and enjoy using it in my work through color, texture and form.”
She calls her process a delicate balance between control and letting go. She begins with raw clay, which she shapes and refines using a combination of hand-building and wheel-throwing techniques. She then bisque fires the pieces to prepare them for glaze firing or other firing techniques.
She uses a variety of glazing techniques, including layering and dripping to create unique patterns. The result is a vibrant and organic surface that reflects the unpredictability and beauty of nature.
I love the ability to manipulate earth, water and fire to produce tangible and useful works of art,” said Richardson. “Using stoneware clay, I like to experiment with different techniques to produce decorative pieces and functional pottery.”
She strives to produce functional work that the user wants to hold, touch and use daily. Through her art, she hopes others are inspired to connect with their environment and find the simple beauty in the world around them.
View Busick’s exhibit at the Chickasaw Visitor Center and Richardson’s exhibit at the Chickasaw Nation Welcome Center from July 1, 2024, through January 15, 2025. For more information, visit www.chickasawcountry.com.
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About Chickasaw Country
Nestled in the south-central region of Oklahoma, Chickasaw Country is a regional tourism organization representing 13 of Oklahoma's 77 counties. A division of the Chickasaw Nation, Chickasaw Country is a tourism resource for visitors and communities in the region, promoting local attractions, experiences and events. South-central Oklahoma is an easy, versatile, friendly and beautiful escape packed with First American and Western culture, outdoor recreation, local dining, breathtaking landscapes and one-of-a-kind festivals. For adventure-seekers, cultural lovers and everything in between, Chickasaw Country is uniquely positioned as a go-to, spur-of-the-moment, easy-to-get-to, ever-changing vacation, for a day, a weekend, a week or longer.
Contact: Kelli West
Tourism Communications Sr. Manager
580-272-5849
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