Three Chickasaw youth artists placed within their divisions and age groups at the prestigious Red Earth Festival. Peyton Horton, Finley Grafton and Angela Guzman were recognized for their contributions to First American art and cultural items at the festival.

Peyton Horton of Ada placed first in pottery for ages 8 to 12. Horton also placed third in the cultural items category. Angela Guzman of Ada placed first in painting/drawing/graphics for ages 16 to 18. Finley Grafton of Edmond placed second in ages 8 to 12 for photography.

Horton said she is thankful to be involved in the Red Earth Festival, as well as other art events offered to First Americans. This is her second year to have shown artwork at the festival. She believes traveling to these events to show her creations allows her the opportunity to see other styles of artwork and take inspiration from them.

Many First Americans and Chickasaws who have participated in Red Earth also took part in Chickasaw Arts Academy, Chickasaw Young Artist Studio, after school arts program and beadwork studio classes offered by the Chickasaw Nation Arts & Humanities Division.

“I go to the Summer Arts program that the Chickasaw Nation offers,” Horton said. “It is really fun. I also attend the after school arts program during the year. It is where I first really began to do pottery.”

The classes offered by the Chickasaw Nation Arts & Humanities Division seek to enrich the heritage of the Chickasaw Nation and its citizens by creating and developing awareness, understanding and enjoyment of Chickasaw visual, performing and literary arts.

The study of arts and humanities highlights culture by expressing the beauty, strength, intelligence and spirit of the Chickasaw people, and enhances the rich legacy of who Chickasaws were, who they are and who they will be.

This year, the Red Earth Festival took place June 12-13. Red Earth’s signature summer event, the Red Earth Festival, features First American artists and dancers from throughout North America and celebrated the richness and diversity of their heritage with the world.

About the Red Earth Festival

For more than four decades, the Red Earth Festival has grown to become one of the most wide-ranging First American art events of its type. It provides an opportunity to experience the unique and varied First American cultures that make Oklahoma unique.