Show Policies
Rules & Regulations

Rules & Regulations for the Cherokee Homecoming Art Show “Art Show”. Any Artist who fails to comply with all applicable Rules & Regulations before, during, or after the Art Show may be prohibited from current or future participation.

  1. Artists must be at least 18 years of age and a Cherokee Nation citizen. Cherokee Nation Cultural and Economic Development, LLC (“CED”) retains sole discretion in determining whether an Artist is eligible to participate. Failure to provide requested documentation may result in non-eligibility or removal from the Art Show.
  2. Cherokee National Treasures’ work is exempt from the jury if all procedures, guidelines and deadlines are followed.
  3. Artists may submit up to three (3) art pieces into the competition, but only two (2) entries in the same category, for example:
    1. Two (2) Pottery and one (1) Basketry
    2. One (1) Pottery, one (1) Painting, and one (1) Basketry.
  4. If entering a collaborative piece, each artist must submit the entry, noting the corresponding collaborating artist in the piece’s description.
  5. All artwork submitted must be for sale.
    • A thirty percent (30%) commission will be retained on all sales. Please be sure that your price allows for this commission. CED reserves the sole right to sell all artwork in the Art Show until the Art Show closes and the artwork is returned to the artist.
    • Cherokee National Treasures’ entries are exempt from the 30% commission.
    • All reasonable efforts will be made to remit payment for sales to artists in a timely manner. If payment is not received within three (3) weeks after the Art Show closes, please contact the Art Show manager.
    • Artists may request buyer information from the Art Show manager for their records.
  6. Artists must comply with all delivery and return rules and deadlines.
    • To be included in the Art Show and competition, accepted works must be delivered to the Art Show by the delivery deadline.
    • The artwork must remain in the Art Show until it closes. Artists may not pick up entries early.
    • Shipped artwork requires prepaid return labels or pre-arranged return options with the Art Show manager. CED is not responsible for damage that may occur during shipping and STRONGLY encourages the Artist to purchase shipping insurance.
    • ALL unsold artwork must be picked up or arranged by the return deadline. All hand-delivered or shipped artwork left after this deadline will be shipped to the artist, and the artist will be invoiced for costs (including any necessary packing materials). Shipped artwork will be insured for its sales value, and CED is not responsible for any shipping damage or loss. Artists with unpaid shipping invoices will be ineligible for future CED art shows until the invoice is paid.
  7. To be eligible for the competition, the following rules must be met:
    • Artwork must have been handmade by the registered artist within the last 18 months.
    • Artwork must follow the guidelines for its category and the following size requirements:
      • 2D entries may not have an image area exceeding 48” wide or 60” high. However, an artist may utilize two 2D entry space widths and enter one oversized piece or a diptych/triptych/quadriptych/etc. within that space. The maximum allowable space for a piece such as this is 96” wide and 60” high. The single piece will be counted as two of the allowable entries for the Art Show. Mats, frames, and bases will not be measured unless they are a part of the overall artistic work, such as a painting extending onto the mat or a frame that is part of the overall artwork. The image area is the exposed viewable area of the image.
      • 3D, diverse or sculpture must not exceed 48” w x 72” h x 48” d excluding base. One 3D entry can consist of multiple pieces but cannot exceed the size limits of the display.
    • The artwork must be the sole property of the registered artist, who must have the full, unencumbered right, title and interest in and to the artwork.
    • Artwork must not have been commissioned.
    • Artwork previously accepted and shown at the Trail of Tears Art Show or the Cherokee Homecoming Art Show is not eligible for entry.
    • Artwork must not include any part of an endangered species, and each artist must comply with all federal and state laws regarding migratory birds and endangered species.
    • The artwork must be complete upon entry; the jury will not consider ‘in progress’ pieces.
      • Artwork with lights or mechanisms requiring an outlet or batteries must be disclosed for jury and feasibility of display will be considered.
    • Delivered artwork must be complete and ready to display.
      • Wall hanging pieces must be fitted with picture wire, no sawtooth or in-frame hangers. Canvas pieces may be unframed but require ‘finished’ edges. Delivery of artwork outside these parameters will not be accepted. If there is time, the artist can remediate and return.
      • Artwork must be delivered as juried, apart from frames, which do not have to be included in the entry photographs. Alterations of work from jury to delivery are subject to disqualification from the Art Show.
    • Although the Judge’s decisions are final, Management retains the discretion to determine eligibility for entry into the competition. The competition directly reflects upon CED, and competition winners must be willing and able to represent and reflect the morals and values of CED and the Art Show. If Management determines, in good faith, that an artist is unable to represent and/or reflect those morals and values or that the artist does not reflect the values and morals of CED and/or the Art Show, then Management retains the right to disqualify a participant from the competition. If a participant is disqualified from entry into the competition, any entry fees paid by the participant will be refunded.
  8. If there are not enough participants in a category, artwork may be added to the judging of another category at the judges’ discretion.
  9. Management has the right to make final decisions regarding all rules and regulations of the Art Show.
  10. All works submitted will be juried for inclusion in this Art Show. Management and judges have the right to remove any artwork that may be inappropriate for the public.
  11. Photography containing content considered ceremonial: If a photographic entry contains content that could be regarded as ceremonial, please include a written description of the content, its origins, and justification of the piece in the description portion. If the jury has further questions, the Art Show coordinator will contact the artist and may request written permission from the originating ceremonial ground leader. Artwork subject to this rule would include but is not limited to: Photography of Stomp Grounds, with or without people; photography of any rites, rituals, or medicine being performed in progress or outcome, with or without people. CED strives to both support and protect tribal cultures and will refrain from contributing to any exploitation of tribal people or ceremonies.
  12. Although every care will be taken in handling and displaying work, CED is not responsible for any loss or damage caused by participation in the Art Show.
  13. Artists may not gift anything to CED staff or Judges.
  14. Officials reserve the right to prohibit an artist from participating in the Art Show if the artist fails to comply with the rules, regulations and guidelines of the Art Show and competition.
Category Rules

Weaving or sewing pliable materials into three dimensional objects, such as baskets, mats, etc. Pieces can be constructed utilizing customary and/or modern materials using customary processes and innovation in fabrication.

  1. Allowable
    1. Hand worked natural or commercial fibers including but not limited to: yucca, willow, three lobed sumac, ash, hickory, honeysuckle, buck brush, pine needle, devils claw, commercial rattan or reed, metal, fabric, etc.
    2. Natural and commercial dyes
  2. Allowable with disclosure
    1. All attached decoration or embellishments must be properly identified and comply with the jewelry standards for allowable and non-allowable materials.

Weaving or sewing pliable materials into utilitarian three dimensional objects, such as baskets, mats, etc. Pieces must be constructed with customary materials and processes.

  1. Allowable
    1. Hand gathered, processed, and hewn natural materials; including but not limited to: natural plant fibers, barks, honeysuckle, buck brush, river cane, horsehair, yarn, etc.
    2. Natural dyes, and decoration made of natural materials.
  2. Not allowable
    1. Commercial reed, splints, or other materials
    2. Commercial dyes or decoration

Ornamental work in beads or quills on objects, accessories, or attire.

  1. Allowable
    1. Purchased glass beads, commercially tanned leather, pins and jewelry must meet jewelry standards.
  2. Allowable with Disclosure
    1. Commercially produced objects that are hand-beaded. i.e., tennis shoes, bottles, etc. Nickel and brass beads not made by the artist must be disclosed. All feathers must comply with all state and federal laws and regulations. All attached materials, including buttons, collar tabs, beads and tin tinkers, must be properly identified and comply with jewelry standards.
  3. Not Allowable
    1. Plastic or synthetic parts of any kind, including beads, buttons, hair, hair pipe or polymer clay, commercially beaded or manufactured items of any kind.

Two-dimensional works on a solid surface.

  1. Allowable
    1. Original works including but not limited to: pencil, colored pencil, pastels, charcoal, oil crayons, pencil, pen & ink, mixed media, collage, and scrimshaw.
    2. Printmaking hand printed by artist including but not limited to: block print, lino print, lithography, relief, etching, mezzotint, aquatint, drypoint, screen printing, monotype, monoprint, mixed media prints.
      1. Prints must be signed and numbered, not to exceed editions of 50.
    3. All two-dimensional art must be appropriately framed, finished and ready for hanging with picture wire, or if size requires, “z-bar” or cleat type hanger.
  2. Not Allowable
    1. Digitally manipulated or reproduced works.
    2. Any photomechanical reproduction, including but not limited to posters, t-shirts, tiles or mugs.
    3. In frame or saw-tooth hangers

Handmade, personal ornamentation to be affixed to the body or clothing.

  1. Allowable
    1. Organic and stone materials.
    2. Shell and natural organic materials, such as bone, wood, natural stones (turquoise, coral, lapis, etc.), other natural untreated stones and gemstones.
    3. Natural pearls, finished stones and gemstones in cabochon, and faceted shapes set in metal settings.
    4. All non-plated metals are allowed and must be identified clearly.
    5. Gold must be 14 karat or higher.
  1. Allowable Findings
    1. For the purposes of the CHAS, these are defined as “an ingredient part of the finished product that adapts the product for wearing or use.” This includes jump rings, earring backs, clasps, barrette clips, money clips, hook & eyes, leather for bolo straps or concho belts, etc. FOR SHELL AND BEADMAKERS ONLY: single bead/cone combinations to finish ends of necklaces or earrings.
  2. Allowable with Disclosure
    1. Stabilized turquoise must be disclosed to consumer.
    2. Commercially available coral from temporary strands must be natural and undyed.
      The use of this coral can be used only in combination with handmade items.
    3. Commercially available glass beads can be used only in combination with handmade items.
    4. Multiple strand glass bead necklaces strung in tribal tradition of the maker are allowed.
    5. Cast jewelry mold must be handmade, hand carved and poured by the artist. Castings that are made in mass-produced environments are prohibited.
    6. Traditional gravity (hand) poured tufa, cuttle bone or sandstone must be limited to an edition of 12 pieces.
    7. Wax carving and lost-wax casting can be used only for one-of-a-kind items.
    8. Each limited edition must be numbered and signed with the artist’s hallmark.
    9. Commercial chain may be used (as a finding) with hand-crafted items but not sold individually.
  1. Not Allowable
    1. Imported or non-Indian handmade stone or shell beads and fetishes, excluding coral.
    2. Imported and/or color treated nuggets or tumbled chips of any material.
    3. Plastic or synthetic block reconstituted or compressed materials, such as coral, lapis, opal, etc.
    4. All color-treated (dyed, heated or irradiated) materials such as blue onyx, blue topaz, irradiated red coral, etc.
    5. Items assembled from non-Indian or manufactured components:
      1. Machine-made or die-struck components or purchased cast blanks: rings, bracelets, bezel cups, leaves, bolo tips, etc.
      2. Silver or other metal beads.
      3. Commercially drilled or pre-strung gemstone, natural pearls or glass beads, including restrung necklaces, “treasure” necklaces, made with commercial “found” objects.
      4. Machine-made “liquid” silver and gold or plated materials, gold under 14 karat.
      5. Rubber mold casting(s) or ANY mass-produced items by any casting method.

Two-dimensional works on a solid surface

  1. Allowable
    1. Original works in oil, watercolor, acrylic, gouache, tempera, etc.
    2. All two-dimensional art must be appropriately framed, finished and ready for hanging with picture wire, or if size requires, “z-bar” or cleat type hanger.
  2. Not Allowable
    1. In frame or saw-tooth hangers

Two-dimensional works on a solid surface

  1. Allowable
    1. Traditional photography, film or digital.
    2. Digitally rendered or manipulated paintings, photos or graphics.
    3. Prints must be signed and numbered, not to exceed editions of 50
    4. All two-dimensional art must be appropriately framed, finished and ready for hanging with picture wire, or if size requires, “z-bar” or cleat type hanger.
  2. Not Allowable
    1. Note cards, clothing, mugs, and other mass-produced items.
    2. AI rendered artwork
    3. In frame or saw-tooth hangers

Vessels and hollow objects formed from clay; fired to vitrification.

  1. Allowable
    1. Pottery fired in any manner.
    2. Pottery made with commercial clay, glazes and temper.
    3. Wheel thrown pottery
  2. Allowable with disclosure
    1. All decorative stone, shell or metal elements, and shell, glass or metal beads must be properly identified.
    2. Non-Allowable
    3. Greenware, cast, or slip mold commercial pottery.

Vessels and hollow objects formed from hand cultivated clay; fired to vitrification.

  1. Allowable
    1. Pottery must be hand built and made using customary Cherokee methods for clay preparation, construction, and firing.
    2. Clay slip painting, paddle or handmade stamp, and hand sculpted or incised design.
  2. Allowable with disclosure
    1. All decorative stone, or shell elements must be properly identified.
  3. Not Allowable
    1. Greenware, slip-mold, wheel thrown, or pottery constructed by any method other than hand built.
    2. Commercial glazes or decor
    3. Kiln fired pottery.

Three-dimensional representative or abstract forms.

  1. Allowable
    1. Hand-wrought materials including but not limited to: stone, wood, bone, antler, metal, ceramic, paper, cloth, hand-blown glass, fabricated glass, fiberglass, etc.
    2. Cast bronze sculpture in numbered editions, not to exceed 10 for 6’+, 24 for 3’ to 6’, 30 for 1’ to 3’ and 50 for less than 12”. All must be signed and numbered. A certificate of authenticity is recommended.
  2. Allowable With Disclosure
    1. All decorative stone, shell and metal elements must be properly identified and comply with the same standards established for allowable materials and non-allowable materials for jewelry.
    2. Fixatives can be used to stabilize pigments, but must be disclosed.
    3. All termite-bored or aged wood must be non-infectious and must be disclosed. Staff reserves the right to examine and refuse such items.
    4. All feathers used must comply with current laws and regulations of state and federal agencies. Endangered species legislation is observed
  3. Not Allowable
    1. Cast resins.
    2. Cast miniature sculpture intended for use as jewelry.
    3. Production cast open editions.

 

Hand woven, loom woven, and sewn objects.

  1. Allowable
    1. Handmade fabric objects including but not limited to: rugs, belts, blankets, shawls, clothing, tack, etc.
    2. Weaving: Hand (finger weaving, twining, knitting, etc.) or hand operated loom weaving of natural and commercial fibers are accepted and must be identified. Weaving must be produced by the artist.
    3. Sewing: Hand or sewing machine work is accepted and must be identified. Sewn items must be designed and sewn by the artist.
    4. Special consideration is given to hand spun, hand dyed, and natural fibers and dyes.
    5. Mixed media and hand embroidery.
    6. Special consideration is given to handmade tinklers, buttons, beads, and other ornamentation.
  1. Allowable with Disclosure
    1. Machine embroidery must be disclosed
  2. Not Allowable
    1. Nothing from a “kit” or anything produced from a plan or drafting NOT of your own design will be allowable.
    2. Sensitive Materials and endangered species.
    3. Plastic or synthetic parts, manufactured non-Indian or die-struck metal charms, buttons, etc., or commercially beaded items of any kind.
    4. Hot Glue
    5. Liquid embroidery
    6. Iron-on applique

This division encompasses cultural objects that are functional and customary to tribal traditions.

  1. Allowable
    1. This category includes but is not limited to: moccasins, drums, fans, regalia, gourds, hats, gloves, dolls and figures, marbles, bows, knives, clubs, etc.
    2. All weaponry must be made and sold for display purposes only.
  2. Allowable With Disclosure
    1. Cultural accessories may be presented on commercially made items, i.e., hats, furs, and commercially tanned leather, but the commercial items must be disclosed.
    2. Feathers or animal materials must be properly identified and comply with all State and Federal regulations.
  3. Not Allowable
    1. Sensitive materials and endangered species.
Terms & Conditions

Terms and Conditions for the Annual Cherokee Homecoming Art Show “Art Show”. Any Artist who fails to comply with all applicable Terms and Conditions or accompanying Rules before, during, or after Art Show, may be prohibited from current or future participation.

  1. Artists must be at least 18 years of age and Cherokee Nation citizens. Documentation of tribal citizenship/membership must accompany the application.
  2. Artist grants a limited, non-exclusive, non-assignable, non-transferable license to Cherokee Nation Cultural and Economic Development, LLC., (“CED”) to allow CED to make images of the artwork by any means, techniques or, media whatsoever (including the taking of photographs) to use, re-use, reproduce, display, publish, and re-publish the same in whole or in part, individually or in conjunction with other images, in any medium, now known or hereafter devised for the sole purposes of (1) using the images to conduct, advertise or market Art Show and (2) maintaining and updating CED’s Event records and files. Images shall not be reproduced without written permission from the copyright owner.
  3. CED grants and Artist accepts a non-assignable right to use and occupy certain location(s) hereinafter known as (“Leased Space”). It is agreed that Artist shall have the right and privilege to advertise, display or sell artwork or art-related items during this event and no others. Artist shall not assign, sublet, or allocate any part of the Leased Space to a third party nor permit any other party to exhibit items or take orders therein.
  4. Artist is responsible for complying with all tribal, state, and federal laws regarding income and taxes.
  5. Entries containing protected species parts, such as feathers, claws, bones, fur, etc., are automatically disqualified under Federal Law. Art, including questionable wild animal parts/feathers without documentation, will not be accepted. Animal feathers/parts obtained from Cherokee Nation Natural Resources will not be accepted and, by law, cannot be sold. Artist is responsible for complying with all applicable tribal, state, or federal laws regarding migratory birds and culturally protected, threatened, or endangered species.
  6. Artists may not gift any item to staff of CED or any judge or volunteer for the Art Show.
  7. CED reserves the right to prohibit an Artist from participating in the Art Show if the Artist fails to comply with any of the following Rules, Laws, Policies or Other Directives:
    • No illegal drugs are allowed on the property (Violators are subject to criminal prosecution).
    • No drinking of alcoholic beverages during the hours of operation of the Art Show as identified in the itinerary (excluding the Opening Reception).
    • No use of obscenities in print or speech.
    • No firearms are allowed on the property (including the grounds and parking lot).
    • Artists are responsible for all personal items and equipment. CED will not be liable for the loss.
    • Patron/Crowd behavior: If Artist or Artist’s staff is having a problem with a patron, Artist is to contact CED staff or security.
  8. Animals are only allowed pursuant to the service animal policy of the facility where the Art Show is located.
  9. Although the Judge’s decisions are final, CED retains the sole discretion in determining eligibility for the Art Show. The Art Show directly reflects upon the Cherokee Nation and its entities. Therefore, all participants and winners must be willing and able to represent and reflect the morals and values of the Cherokee Nation and its entities. If CED determines that an artist cannot represent and/or reflect or does not reflect those morals and values, then CED retains the right to reject a potential candidate from participating in the Art Show or disqualify and/ or remove a participant from the Art Show. Furthermore, if a participant has received an award from the Judges but has failed to observe and reflect the morals and values of the Cherokee Nation, CED, and the Art Show, CED may strip such participant of any awards and recognition thereof received through the Art Show.
  10. Artist assumes the entire responsibility and liability for losses, damages and claims arising out of injury to his/her own person, theft of or damage to the Artist’s displays, artwork, equipment or other property and agrees to indemnify, defend and hold harmless CED and its employees, event coordinators, guests and participants against all claims or expenses for such losses arising out of the performance of this Agreement. CED shall not be liable, regardless of negligence or fault, for any consequential, incidental or indirect damages or loss of profits sustained by Merchant, including but not limited to, damage caused by a CED employee or volunteer moving an item upon Merchant’s request. CED is not responsible for damage that may occur during shipping and strongly encourages Artist to purchase shipping insurance.
  11. Any dispute shall be subject exclusively to the laws and jurisdiction of the Cherokee Nation, with the venue residing solely in the courts of the Cherokee Nation. Nothing in the terms and conditions, accompanying rules, or any other document or expression shall be construed to waive the sovereign immunity of the Cherokee Nation or any of its entities.
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