Chickasaw Country Announces new art exhibits in Davis, Sulphur
As part of Chickasaw Country’s reoccurring art exhibit rotation, tourism center locations in south-central Oklahoma will put First American artists’ works on display from July 1 – October 31, 2021. The featured artists will be Kristin Gentry and Eva L. Cantrell.
Discover the works of Choctaw artist Kristin Gentry at the Chickasaw Visitor Center in Sulphur, a professional visual artist whose creative expression includes monotype printmaking, painting, jewelry and photography. The Chickasaw Nation Welcome Center in Davis will showcase the work of Cherokee artist Eva L. Cantrell, whose pottery and sewing work have been showcased all over the state of Oklahoma and in the United States.
“When visitors come to visit Chickasaw Country, the region’s tourism centers are the best source of information on the area’s attractions,” said Paige Williams Shepherd, Chickasaw Nation’s Director of Corporate Development and Tourism. “It is important for us to share the work of local artists, as a form of education of First American art, history and culture.”
In addition to the Chickasaw Visitor Center in Sulphur and the Chickasaw Nation Welcome Center in Davis, the Chickasaw Nation Information Center in Tishomingo and the Chisholm Trail Heritage Center in Duncan offer resources for travelers as well as additional opportunities for visitors to see and purchase works of art by First American artists.
Eva L. Cantrell, Chickasaw Nation Welcome Center, Davis, OK
Cantrell, a citizen of the Cherokee Nation, is a multi-award-winning artist. Cantrell trained under renowned pottery artists Jane Osti, Crystal Hanna and Troy Jackson, and has participated in Cherokee Art Market, SWAIA, Trail of Tears Art Show, SEASAM, Artesian Arts Festival and more. Through her artwork, Cantrell teaches Cherokee stories and what the various symbols mean in Cherokee culture.
Kristin Gentry, Chickasaw Visitor Center, Sulphur, OK
Gentry works as a professional visual artist in art education, relief and monotype printmaking, painting, jewelry and photography, and also works as a writer, designer and curator. Gentry is passionate about using her art to create different ways to preserve her traditional southeastern Choctaw tribal culture. In 2012, she was recognized for the 40 Under 40 award by the National Center for American Indian Enterprise Development. Kristin received her M.S. degree with honors in Native American Leadership from Southeastern Oklahoma State University in the spring of 2020 and a Bachelor of Fine Arts from Oklahoma State University in 2009, where she graduated as a Senior of Significance. She attained her Associate of Arts in education from Tulsa Community College in 2005 as an Honor’s Scholar Graduate. Kristin is a graduate of Berryhill high school, class of 2003.
The artists’ work will be showcased at the following locations:
Chickasaw Nation Welcome Center
35 N. Colbert Rd, Davis, Oklahoma, OK 73030
Chickasaw Visitor Center
901 West 1st St., Sulphur, Oklahoma, OK 73086
The two exhibits will run from July 1 through October 31, 2021. Media assets are available at this link. For more information, visit www.chickasawcountry.com.
Chickasaw Visitor Center in Sulphur, Oklahoma
The Chickasaw Visitor Center is located at the northeast corner of Broadway and State Highway 7 in Sulphur, next to the Artesian Hotel, Casino and Spa. The Chickasaw Visitor Center includes a lounge area, gift shop and National Park Service displays. For more information about the center, call 580-622-8050 or visit Chickasaw Country’s website at https://chickasawcountry.com/family-attractions/chickasaw-visitor-center.
Chickasaw Nation Welcome Center in Davis, Oklahoma
The Chickasaw Nation Welcome Center is located at the southwest corner of exit 55 along Interstate 35. The Chickasaw Nation Welcome Center offers several amenities, including a lounge area, gift shop, outdoor children’s playground, a dog park and Bedré Fine Chocolate right next door. For more information about the center, call 580-369-4220 or visit Chickasaw Country’s website at https://chickasawcountry.com/family-attractions/chickasaw-nation-welcome-center.
About Chickasaw Country
Nestled in south-central Oklahoma, Chickasaw Country is a regional tourism organization representing 13 of Oklahoma’s 77 counties. As the official destination tourism organization, Chickasaw Country includes 7,648 square miles, 11 percent of Oklahoma’s total 68,597 square miles. Chickasaw Country, a division of the Chickasaw Nation, is a tourism source for visitors and communities within the region and promotes destinations, attractions and festivals.
