The Cherokee Heritage Center hosts a series of classes designed to promote Cherokee art.  Classes are designed to pique the interest of the student as well as give historical and practical information about the art form. 

Goals of the Cultural Class Series are:

To teach the methodology of Cherokee specific classes to the general public.
To teach the historical perspective of the art.
To perpetuate the historic legacy of the art.

Thirteen art classes are scheduled each year.  “The classes give the student an idea about how complicated or simple the art form is.  It is for them to discover if they have an interest in pursuing the art,” said Tonia Weavel, Director of Education.  “Many people want to learn the techniques of making a pot, but until they get their hands in the clay they don’t know if have a knack for it.  These classes are constructed to introduce the art – not to become proficient.”

2009 Class Schedule

September 12	Basketry	10 a.m. to 3 p.m.	$40
October 3	Pottery	10 a.m. to 3 p.m.	$40
October 16 & 17	Stickball Sticks	6 p.m. to 9 p.m. Friday   9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday	$65
November 21	Cherokee Moccasins	10 a.m. to 3 p.m.	$40
December 4 & 5	Southeastern Beadwork	6 p.m. to 9 p.m. Friday	$65

2010 Class Schedule

February 19 – 20	Basketry: Split woods and cane	6 p.m. - 9 p.m. Friday 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday	$65
March 6	19th Century Clothes	10 a.m. to 3 p.m	$40
March 27	Gourds	10 a.m. to 3 p.m.	$40
April 10	Round Reed Basketry	10 a.m. to 3 p.m.	$40
April 17	Flutes	8 a.m. to 5 p.m.	$65
May 15	Pottery	10 a.m. to 3 p.m.	$40
May 22	Bows	8 a.m. to 5 p.m.	$65
June 5	Needlework	10 a.m. to 3 p.m.	$40
September 30	Flat Reed Basketry	10 a.m. to 3 p.m.	$40
October 2	Cherokee Imagery	10 a.m. to 3 p.m.	$40
November 13	Flint knapping	10 a.m. to 3 p.m.	$40
December 3 – 4	Southeastern Beadwork	6 p.m. to 9 p.m. Friday	$65
December 11	Fingerweaving	10 a.m. to 3 p.m.	$40

 

Instructors are selected based on their knowledge of the art as well as their historical knowledge of how this art form was and continues to be a force in Cherokee culture.  Many instructors have the distinction of National Treasure, an honor awarded by the Cherokee Nation for a lifetime of service dedicated to the perpetuation of the art.

 

Registration:  Registration can be made by contacting the Education Department at (918) 456-6007 or at Education@CherokeeHeritage.org. 

All materials are provided.