Museum to Feature Artists from Cancelled Cherokee Voices Festival, June 29-mid August

The Museum of the Cherokee Indian has made the difficult decision to cancel its annual Cherokee Voices Festival due to concerns over the coronavirus. This year would have been the 23rd annual event. Cherokee Voices is a free daylong celebration at the museum with continuous performances and crafts demonstrations, to shine a light on Cherokee traditions and culture.

In lieu of hosting the festival this year, the museum will feature different artists of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians on Mondays and Saturdays from 10 am to 4 pm beginning June 29, through mid-August. This will give visitors the chance to have special one-on-one encounters with artists and performers that would have been featured at the Cherokee Voices Festival.

“If the weather is nice, the demonstrators will be set up outside under the Cherokee hut in front of the Museum,” said Dawn Arneach, museum interim executive director. “If the weather is bad, they will be set up in the main lobby of the museum. Artists will have items they have made for sale as well.”  

The following is the schedule of demonstrators through the end of July. We will update the schedule as more artists and presenters are confirmed. 

* Monday, June 29 – Cleto and Becky Montelongo, gourd crafts 

* Saturday, July 4 – Jenn Wilson, beadwork; Matt Tooni, flute

* Monday, July 6 – Nathan Bush, copperwork 

* Saturday, July 11 – Armando Basulto and Spencer Bolejack, trader encampment; Atsila Anotasgi Warrior encampment 

* Monday, July 13 – Butch Goings, woodcarving; Louise Goings, basketry 

* Monday, July 20 – Tara McCoy, pottery

* Saturday, July 25 – Waylon Long, Cherokee Indian ballsticks; Michelle Long, beadwork