Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians
Alica Wildcatt
Alica Murphy Wildcatt, of the Eastern Band Cherokee, rapidly rose to become a world-class metalsmith. Though always involved in the arts, it wasn't until she raised her children that she fully pursued her passion, starting with a jewelry-making class at Haywood Community College. Under the guidance of teacher and mentor Greta Lutman, she mastered jewelry fabrication, metal enameling, and more. Wildcatt established her home studio, Greybeard Metalsmithing, paying homage to her great-grandmother Polly’s maiden name. Her designs, featuring contemporary shapes like paper clip chains and silver drop earrings, draw inspiration
from Cherokee designs and syllabary. With multiple local and national awards, her work is showcased in museums and covered by national publications. Currently residing in the Birdtown Community of Cherokee.
Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians
Jakeli Swimmer
Jakeli Swimmer, an Indigenous graphic designer and cartoonist from the Eastern Band of the Cherokee Indians (EBCI), is the creator of "Around the Boundary," a popular satirical cartoon series on social media. Derived from personal experiences and observations within the Native community, Swimmer's cartoons aim to foster dialogue, critical thought, and understanding, often incorporating humor. By reclaiming stereotypical Native characters with accurate portrayals, he seeks to represent the true voice of Native people. Swimmer currently resides with his family in Cherokee, NC, on the Qualla Boundary, the primary landholdings of the EBCI.
Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians
Atsei Cooper
Atsei Cooper is from the Yellowhill community and is a self taught artist. She does beadwork, painting, and drawing. She graduated from the University of Utah in 2021 with a degree in anthropology and has a background in archaeology. She pushes for decolonization and created Unequolada in 2021 to help create a more welcoming space for our 2SLGBTQ community. Unequolada was able to participate in Sylva, North
Carolina’s inaugural Pride Celebration in 2021. One day she hopes to do archaeological work for the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians.
Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians
Jennifer Wilson
Jennifer Wilson currently resides in Washington DC with her fiancé and two children. Wilson has a Bachelor of Arts degree in History with a minor in Cherokee Studies. She has been a practicing beadwork artist for nearly 20 years and has expanded her talents towards laser cutting and engraving with a focus on traditional Cherokee designs and motifs. Wilson’s goal is to bring authentic Cherokee designs and goods into peoples’ homes and lives on a larger scale. Using cultural knowledge gained from a lifetime of experience, she creates contemporary artwork that gives historic designs a new life.
Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians
Joel Queen
Joel Queen is a ninth-generation potter, who traces his pottery lineage through the Bigmeat family in the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians. He offers five styles of pottery including the black pottery, which is the most traditional. “As a member of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians, I feel I have a responsibility to keep Cherokee art alive,” he says. “I live to teach others about my art and the Cherokee culture.” In addition to being a potter, Joel is also a sculptor and wood carver. His work has won awards nationwide. “The simplicity of line is what I look for,” he says, “and line is what I manipulate. Stone and wood speak to me in a visual picture and then I carve that image. Ceramics binds my images to the functional world.”
Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians
Joel Queen
Joel Queen is a ninth-generation potter, who traces his pottery lineage through the Bigmeat family in the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians. He offers five styles of pottery including the black pottery, which is the most traditional. “As a member of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians, I feel I have a responsibility to keep Cherokee art alive,” he says. “I live to teach others about my art and the Cherokee culture.” In addition to being a potter, Joel is also a sculptor and wood carver. His work has won awards nationwide. “The simplicity of line is what I look for,” he says, “and line is what I manipulate. Stone and wood speak to me in a visual picture and then I carve that image. Ceramics binds my images to the functional world.”