Watch: Persistence, Passion, Community
By Emma Saville
The Cherokee Nation’s “ᏣᎳᎩ: Wherever We Are” YouTube series often shares tradition and excellence. In their latest episode, they focus on sculpture work.
Sculpting Our Future opens with an introduction to the topic from show host Jen Loren and the Principal Chief of the Cherokee Nation, Chuck Hoskin, Jr.
Following, four sculpture artists were honored and shared their experience getting into their work. First, Bryan Warner, Deputy Chief of the Cherokee Nation spoke with father and son public art sculptures Bill and Demos Glass. Both sculptures gave advice to young artists getting their start.
“You might dream up something a little bit bigger than you understand how to accomplish,” said Demos. “We have to rely on the talented people in the in the community.”
Bill said, “For the younger artists coming up, it’s a struggle. It’s tough to be an artist. Hang in there. The Tribe is starting to have some art shows now. They have the Trail of Tears show, the Homecoming show, the Holiday show, the Turkey Art Market and that’s a good chance for them to participate and sell their stuff. We need the support of the public too.”
Next, Loren spoke with two other sculptors, Troy Jackson and Eddie Morrison.
“What you want to do is to just grab hold. If you’re going to be an artist, you just want to grab hold and do it for now while you’re young and never give up. I think that the main objective for me would be to encourage young artists to be persistent, have a passion, develop a passion, and then set a commitment that they will follow through. I think those are three important aspects,” said Jackson.
“It’s not easy, and when you first start out, it’s just like riding a roller coaster,” said Morrison. “You can’t quit. I’ve known a lot of very great, good artists that are no longer doing art because they didn’t have the persistence to stay sick with it. If you have to work a day job to do it or whatever, go get you a job. And the great support of your family too, that keeps you going.”
The episode concluded with a musical performance from Kalyn Fay.
Watch the full episode below.
