TALK OF THE TOWN: Tahlequonia show brings art lovers to NSU gallery

Sep. 10—TAHLEQUAH — The annual Tahlequonia Art Show featured about 30 artists with entries for painting and photography, bringing dozens of aficionados to the Northeastern State University Gallery to view this year's creations.

"The show originated about 30-40 years ago, and it's normally been a free show for all artists," said Renee Fite, president of Arts Council of Tahlequah. "This year it is a juried show, because we wanted to include a new project for us called 'Artist of the Year.'"

The formal show opened Sept. 6, and will be on display until Sept. 21.

First-, second- and third-place ribbons were given in both photography and fine art. Gayla Goodell won Best of Show and ACT inaugural Artist of the Year. Goodell will be provided with several opportunities, including being featured in her own show, Fite said.

"We'll provide some opportunities for workshops and speaking to groups, and Local Bank is going to commission a piece by the chosen artist," Fite said. "They will be promoted for a year and will have their own show."

Goodell usually does portraits, but she decided to submit a still life of a begonia and tomatoes from her garden, and won the top prize for the piece.

"I started painting in 2020 when I retired, and I've been a graphic artist by profession," Goodell said. "I designed home decor, garden decor and inspirational items. I always wanted to paint but never had the time."

Visitors to the show can vote on the "People's Choice" until it closes, Fite said.

Originally the organization that puts on Tahlequonia was called Cherokee County Arts and Humanities Coalition, but it now operates as Arts Council of Tahlequah. Aside from Tahlequonia Art Show, the organization puts on other events.

"In the spring, the organization puts on a plein air event for Red Fern Festival with Tahlequah Main Street Association, to promote outdoor painting," Fite said. "In summer is 'Arts under the Stars,' which is a cool outdoor evening live storytelling event."

Jean Havens' piece won first place in photography, and she said her work is all about light. The photography piece she entered was of reflections off of Tenkiller Lake at Caney Ridge Marina. Havens has been a photographer for 32 years and has been selling her work for 12 years.

"The water moves and I captured the words off of the lake patrol boat," Havens said. "I'm a very abstract and futuristic [artist], and I printed [this piece]. I call myself a naturalist, so I take the photo and I [work on it] in Photo Elements and do highlights, brightness and cropping."

Becky Lucht entered two pieces featuring her signature "scratch art," and won first place in the art category for one titled "Three Drops of Pepper."

"You start with commercial panels coated with white smooth clay sprayed with India ink, and I come in with a scalpel or [craft] knife and scratch it," Lucht said. "When it's scratched out, I add ink and mix it and put on thin layers, scratch it again, then do other layers."

Winners in the art category were: First place, Lucht; second place, Madelin Birdtail; and third place, Erin Littlechief. In photography, first place was Havens; second place, Alicia McDowell; and third place, F.D. "David" Collins.

Lesa Cordle, a board member of TAC, enjoys working with the organization because it is a dynamic group of people.

"Everybody has some little artistic talent so they all bring something different to the board," Cordle said. "And it's fun to be involved with something that's bigger than you, and something that's shown by the number of people here is that there is a desire for art in Tahlequah."

She said she is happy to help fill that gap and is excited about the number of entrants and attendees at the show. Cordle said Fite isn't afraid to ask people to get involved.

"She's really good at bringing people together and she's not afraid to ask you, 'Hey, do you want to do this?'" Cordle said.

Cordle said the board has an "amazing diversity" of members.

"That's what it takes; if you are going to volunteer for something you've got to have the community behind you because that's what it takes to make it in this town," Cordle said.

Check it out

The NSU Art Gallery's hours are 3-7 p.m. Tuesday through Friday, and 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday. It is closed Sunday and Money.