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Jo Ann Rackliff Richmond

     While working in the Cherokee Nation Tourism and Recreation Department I became interested in the Cherokee Arts.  Our office was located in the Old Cherokee Courthouse along with the Cherokee Nation Arts and Crafts Department.  During office hours various artists and craftspeople would spend several days a week sitting around a big table making baskets and other crafts.  (Some of these people later became Master Basket Weavers).  They would tell us how the Cherokee people made baskets and how they were used.  During my free time I learned how to make baskets.  This was my first exposure to the rich and diverse culture of the Native American Arts.  I developed a keen interest in the rich heritage of the Cherokee people.

    

      I made baskets for several years but became too busy and gradually put my art on a back burner.

   

      In July 2003, my sister met Larry Thompson and was very impressed with his traditional pottery.  He agreed to give lessons so I went with her and began to learn how to make traditional clay pottery.  It is a very good hobby and is also very therapeutic.

  

      Larry teaches how to find and dig clay, makes pottery and at the same time gives the background and history of Native American Pottery.  This gives me a deep and lasting appreciation for the intricacies of this art.  It is amazing to be able to take a small piece of clay, mold it into utensils, fire it in an open pit and then be able to use it.

   

      In July, 2004, I traveled to Moundsville, Alabama to meet with Potters from all over the United States.  The main focus of the workshop was to get Potters together to plan a strategy for displaying and promoting Southeastern Style Pottery.  We would like to see this style pottery as readily available and easily obtainable as the Southwestern Style Pottery.    

     I have shown my pottery at several art and craft shows.  It was also featured in a Native Arts special on Channel 2, Tulsa on December 21, 2003.  We also had a private show at the Atolia Museum at Bacone College in February.  I received honorable mention at the “Art under the Oaks” art show at the Five Civilized Tribes Museum in Muskogee.  On July 19, 2004 I won first place in the “Beginning Artist Contest” at the Creek Nation Museum in Okmulgee, Oklahoma.  My pottery is currently on display in the Trail of Tears art show at the Heritage Center in Tahlequah, the Creek Nation Museum in Okmulgee, and the Cherokee Store in Eureka Springs, Ark.

  

      Traditional pottery played a major role in the Cherokee culture.  I would like to have a role in keeping this art alive.