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.

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.

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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.”

Jody Bradley Lipscomb is a Cherokee, N.C. native, enrolled citizen of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians, and a self-taught, culturally inspired artist, poet, and writer. A retired educator and public relations professional, Jody now focuses on art that celebrates and promotes Cherokee culture, with an emphasis on women, gorgets, language, and petroglyphs.

She is the author of A Cherokee Family Activity Guide and a member of the Qualla Co-Op, Authentically Cherokee, and Artists in Residence at Lake Junaluska. Jody holds a Bachelor of Science in Education from Western Carolina University and lives with her husband Gene in Lake Junaluska.

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Moses is originally from the Wolftown Community, but currently resides in the Birdtown Community. Mose is a fluent Kituwah dialect Cherokee speaker.

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Bread is a designer, filmmaker, and creative director whose work spans fashion, film, and creative direction. Their experience includes producing SWAIA's Fashion Show, working with Ralph Laurel X Naomi Glasses, Amazon Studios' Outer Range, Marvel Studios' Echo, and Teton Trade Cloth. A Sundance Film Institute alum and experienced model, Bread has also worked with Ralph Laurel and Saie Beauty.

In 2023, Bread launched House of Sutai, beginning with jewelry and accessories before expanding into clothing. Just nine months later, the brand made its runway debut at SWAIA Native Fashion Week with the "Disco Debut" collection.

A Cherokee National Treasure, Traci Rabbit, was born in Claremore, Oklahoma, and raised in Pryor. The daughter of Cherokee National Treasure Bill Rabbit, she grew up attending art shows and traveling to Native art events. After earning a business degree from Northeastern State University, Traci followed her passion for art and began building her career as an artist.

Known for her signature paintings celebrating strength, spirit, and beauty of Native American women, Traci continues to live and work in the Cherokee Nation, crediting her family for inspiring her artistic journey.

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