Show Policies

Rules & Regulations

Rules & Regulations for the Trail of Tears Art Show “the Event”. Any Artist who fails to comply with all applicable Rules & Regulations at any time before, during, or after the Event, may be prohibited from current or future participation.

  1. Cherokee National Treasures’, Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians (“EBCI”) Beloved Peoples’, and United Keetoowah Band of Cherokee Indians in Oklahoma (“UKB”) Wisdom Keepers’ work is exempt from jury, as long as all procedures, guidelines and deadlines are followed.
  2. Artist must submit physical work upon jury acceptance into the Trail of Tears Art Show in order to be eligible for participation in the competition.
  3. Artists may submit up to three (3) art pieces into the competition, as long as at least one entry is in the miniature category. If none are miniature, two (2) entries may be submitted.
  4. All artwork submitted must be for sale.
  5. To be eligible for the competition, the following rules must be met:
    • Artwork must be handmade by the registered artist in the last 18 months.
    • Artwork must follow the guidelines for its category and size requirements.
    • Artwork must be the sole property of the registered artist and artist must have the full unencumbered right, title, and interests in and to the artwork.
    • Artwork must not have been commissioned.
    • Artwork that previously has been submitted at Trail of Tears Art Show or the Cherokee Homecoming Art Show will not be eligible for entry.
    • Artwork must not include any part of an endangered species.
    • Artwork must be complete and ready to display. (Wall hanging pieces must be fitted with picture wire; no saw tooth or in frame hangers).
    • 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 / quadtrych / etc. within that space. 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 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. Image area is defined as being 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 size limits of display.
    • If entering a collaborative piece, each artist must submit entry, noting the corresponding collaborating artist in the description of the piece.
  6. If there are not enough participants in a category, artwork may be added to the judging of another category at the judges’ discretion.
  7. Photography containing content considered to be ceremonial in nature: If a photographic entry contains content that could be considered ceremonial in nature, 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, show officials will contact the artist and may request written permission from the originating ceremonial ground leader. Artwork that would be 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. Cherokee Nation Businesses Cultural & Economic Development strives to both support and protect tribal cultures and will refrain from contributing to any exploitation of tribal people or ceremony.
  8. All award and sales checks will be made payable to the artist. Buyer’s name and address will be given unless the buyer requests to be anonymous.
  9. A thirty percent (30%) commission will be charged on all sales. Cherokee Nation Businesses reserves the right to make sales of any art in its possession and collect commission on such sales until the work is returned or claimed by the artist. Please be sure that your price allows for this commission.
  10. No works in the show may be sold prior to the opening reception of the show.
  11. Although every care will be taken in handling and display of work, Cherokee Nation Cultural & Economic Development will is not be responsible for any loss or damage.
  12. Proper identification must be attached firmly to the back of each entry with the following: Artist’s name, title, price and medium. Identification on the artwork must be done in addition to the entry form. Pieces will not be accepted where there is uncertainty about the price, title, medium, and identity of artist.
  13. Artwork accepted and hung in this show must remain hanging until the show closes. Artists may not pick-up entries early without the result of being barred from future shows.

Terms & Conditions

Terms and Conditions for the Annual Trail of Tears Art Show “the Event”. Any Artist who fails to comply with all applicable Terms and Conditions or accompanying Rules, at any time before, during, or after the Event, maybe prohibited from current or future participation.

  1. Artists must be at least 18 years of age and must be a citizen of a federally recognized tribe. 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”) for the purpose of allowing 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 the Event and (2) maintaining and updating CED’s Event records and files.
  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 that contain parts of a protected species, 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 Event.
  7. CED reserves the right to prohibit an Artist from participating in the Event if the Artist fails to comply with any of the following Rules, Laws, Policies or Other Directives:
    • No illegal drugs allowed on property (Violators are subject to criminal prosecution).
    • No drinking of alcoholic beverages during the hours of operation of the Event as identified in the itinerary (excluding the Opening Reception).
    • No use of obscenities in print or speech.
    • No firearms allowed on property (including grounds and parking lot).
    • Artists are responsible for all personal items and equipment. CED will not be liable for 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 Event is located.
  9. Although Judge’s decisions are final, CED retains the sole discretion in determining eligibility for entry into the Event. The Event is a direct reflection upon the Cherokee Nation and its entities and 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. In the event that CED determines that an artist is unable to represent and/or reflect or in fact does not reflect those morals and values, then CED retains the right to reject a potential candidate from participating in the Event or disqualify and/ or remove a participant from the Event. Furthermore, in the event that 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 Event, CED may strip such participant of any awards and recognition thereof received through the Event.
  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.
  11. Any dispute shall be subject exclusively to the laws and jurisdiction of the Cherokee Nation, with 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.

Category Rules

Three-dimensional objects such as baskets, mats, etc. are produced through hand weaving or sewing of pliable materials.

Allowable:

    • Hand-worked natural or commercial fibers including but not limited to yucca, willow, three-lobed sumac, ash, hickory, honeysuckle, buck brush, pine needle, devil claw, commercial rattan or reed, metal, fabric, etc.
    • Natural and commercial dyes.


Allowable with disclosure:

    • All attached decoration or embellishments must be properly identified and comply with the jewelry standards for allowable and non-allowable materials.

This category includes but is not limited to works such as: toys, masks, cooking utensils, accessories, stickball sticks, knives with carved handles, musical instruments, etc.

Allowable:

    • Commercially produced objects that are transformed into a work of art by the hand application of beadwork or quillwork are allowable with disclosure.
    • This category includes non-jewelry beadwork.
    • Weaponry: blowguns, bow and arrows, war clubs, points, etc. are included here and must be made and sold for display only.


Allowable with disclosure:

    • Purchased glass beads, nickel and brass beads that are not made by the artist.
    • Commercially manufactured hides and rawhide.


Non-Allowable:

    • Nothing from a “kit” or anything produced from a plan or drafting NOT of your own design will be allowable.
    • Sensitive Materials and endangered species.
    • Plastic or synthetic parts, manufactured non-Indian or die-struck metal charms, buttons, etc., or commercially beaded items of any kind.

Two-dimensional works on a solid surface.

Allowable:

    • Original works including but not limited to: pencil, colored pencil, pastels, charcoal, oil crayons, pencil, pen & ink, mixed media, collage, and scrimshaw.
    • 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.
      • Prints must be signed and numbered, not to exceed editions of 50.
    • 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.


Non-Allowable:

    • Digitally manipulated or reproduced works.
    • Any photomechanical reproduction, including but not limited to posters, t-shirts, tiles or mugs.

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

Allowable:

    • Organic and stone materials.
    • Shell and natural organic materials, such as bone, wood, natural stones (turquoise, coral, lapis, etc.), other natural untreated stones and gemstones.
    • Natural pearls, finished stones and gemstones in cabochon, and faceted shapes set in metal settings.
    • All non-plated metals are allowed and must be identified clearly.
    • Gold must be 14 karat or higher.
    • Findings: 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.


Allowable with disclosure:

    • Stabilized turquoise must be disclosed to consumer.
    • 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.
    • Commercially available glass beads can be used only in combination with handmade items.
    • Multiple strand glass bead necklaces strung in tribal tradition of the maker are allowed.
    • Cast jewelry mold must be handmade, hand carved and poured by the artist. Castings that are made in mass-produced environments are prohibited.
    • Traditional gravity (hand) poured tufa, cuttle bone or sandstone must be limited to an edition of 12 pieces.
    • Wax carving and lost-wax casting can be used only for one-of-a-kind items.
    • Each limited edition must be numbered and signed with the artist’s hallmark.
    • Commercial chain may be used (as a finding) with hand-crafted items but not sold individually.


Non-Allowable:

    • Imported or non-Indian handmade stone or shell beads and fetishes, excluding coral.
    • Imported and/or color treated nuggets or tumbled chips of any material.
    • Plastic or synthetic block reconstituted or compressed materials, such as coral, lapis, opal, etc.
    • All color-treated (dyed, heated or irradiated) materials such as blue onyx, blue topaz, irradiated red coral, etc.
    • Items assembled from non-Indian or manufactured components:
      • Machine-made or die-struck components or purchased cast blanks: rings, bracelets, bezel cups, leaves, bolo tips, etc.
    • Silver or other metal beads.
      Commercially drilled or pre-strung gemstone, natural pearls or glass beads, including restrung necklaces, “treasure” necklaces, made with commercial “found” objects.
    • Machine-made “liquid” silver and gold or plated materials, gold under 14 karat.
    • Rubber mold casting(s) or ANY mass-produced items by any casting method.

Original works in any medium, which would qualify for one of the above categories and does not have an image or display area exceeding 4 inches in length, width, or depth. Overall exterior dimensions, including frame or base, may not exceed 12” x 12”.

Allowable:

    • All pieces must comply with corresponding full size category requirements.


Allowable with disclosure:

    • Nesting pieces that combined do not exceed 4″x4″x4″ area and unassembled area not to exceed 12″x12″.


Non-Allowable:

    • Any piece that can be categorized as Jewelry, regardless of size.

Two-dimensional works on a solid surface.

Allowable:

    • Original works in oil, watercolor, acrylic, gouache, tempera, etc.
    • 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.

Non-Allowable:

    • In frame or saw tooth hangers.

Two-dimensional works on a solid surface.

Allowable:

    • Traditional photography, film or digital.
    • Digitally rendered or manipulated paintings, photos or graphics.
    • Prints must be signed and numbered, not to exceed editions of 50.


Non-Allowable:

    • Note cards, clothing, mugs, and other mass-produced items.

Vessels and objects formed from clay; fired to vitrification.

Allowable:

    • All handmade traditional and contemporary pottery forms.
    • Kiln-fired, pit-fired, double fired pottery, Raku, salt fire, etc.
    • Pottery made with natural clay, commercial clay, temper, glaze, slip, paint, stain, etc.
    • Wheel thrown pots.

Allowable with disclosure:

    • All decorative stone, shell or metal elements, and shell, glass or metal beads must be properly identified.

Three-dimensional representative or abstract forms.

Allowable:

    • Hand-wrought materials including but not limited to: stone, wood, bone, antler, metal, ceramic, paper, cloth, hand-blown glass, fabricated glass, fiberglass, etc.
    • 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.

Allowable with disclosure:

    • 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.
    • Fixatives can be used to stabilize pigments but must be disclosed.
    • All termite-bored or aged wood must be non-infectious and must be disclosed. Staff reserves the right to examine and refuse such items.
    • All feathers used must comply with current laws and regulations of state and federal agencies. Endangered species legislation is observed.


Non-Allowable:

    • Cast resins.
    • Cast miniature sculpture intended for use as jewelry.
    • Production cast open editions.

Hand woven, loom woven, and sewn objects.

Allowable:

    • Handmade fabric objects including but not limited to: rugs, belts, blankets, shawls, clothing, tack, etc.
    • 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.
    • Sewing: Hand or sewing machine work is accepted and must be identified. Sewn items must be designed and sewn by the artist.
    • Special consideration is given to hand spun, hand dyed, and natural fibers and dyes.
    • Mixed media and hand embroidery.
    • Special consideration is given to handmade tinklers, buttons, beads, and other ornamentation.

Allowable with disclosure:

    • Machine embroidery must be disclosed.

Non-Allowable:

    • Nothing from a “kit” or anything produced from a plan or drafting NOT of your own design will be allowable.
    • Sensitive Materials and endangered species.
    • Plastic or synthetic parts, manufactured non-Indian or die-struck metal charms, buttons, etc., or commercially beaded items of any kind.
    • Hot Glue.
    • Liquid embroidery.
    • Iron-on applique.
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