OKLAHOMA CITY– (Oct. 30, 2018) This autumn and winter, Chickasaw Country travel centers in south-central Oklahoma will showcase artwork by Native American artists Linda Kukuk and Brad Woods, and a special Christmas show of art by Native American youth.

Guests to Chickasaw Country can see Kukuk’s paintings at the Chickasaw Visitor Center in Sulphur. The Chickasaw Nation Welcome Center in Davis will display the photography of Brad Woods. The Chickasaw Information Center in Tishomingo will host a Native American Youth Christmas show.

“The artwork displayed at these centers deepens every guests’ experience and offers insight into Native American culture and heritage by bringing new and emerging artists to the public’s attention,” said Paige Williams Shepherd, director of corporate development and tourism for the Chickasaw Nation.

Shepherd also noted that the tourism centers offer a wealth of information for visitors and residents alike.

“The centers offer guests incredible information about local attractions and events taking place throughout Chickasaw Country during the holidays,” she said, “and they also offer unique gifts—from Made in Oklahoma goodies to Native artwork.”

Each of the exhibits will run through Feb. 28, 2019.

Linda Kukuk, Chickasaw Visitor Center, Sulphur – Exhibit runs Nov. 1 through Feb. 28

Kukuk is a lifetime resident of the Oklahoma City area, and a self-taught artist. She paints some watercolors, but is primarily a scratchboard artist specializing in realistic pictures of wildlife, pet portraits, Native Americans, and portraits. Kukuk is a signature level member of the International Society of Scratchboard Artists (ISSA.)

“Rather than always doing scratchboard art in the traditional sense, I enjoy experimenting by starting with white clayboard, adding either watercolor, acrylic ink, India ink, or a combination of these, and then doing my scratchwork on the surface I’ve prepared,” she said.

“My extensive travels throughout Africa, Europe, Russia, and the South Pacific have given me a myriad of interesting subjects to paint and draw,” she said. “I love painting almost any subject and, being a Choctaw Indian, I definitely enjoy painting Native American and American wildlife subjects.”

Brad Woods, Chickasaw Nation Welcome Center, Davis – Exhibit runs Nov. 1 through Feb. 28

Woods is a citizen of the Chickasaw Nation and grew up near Sulphur. His love of nature and the outdoors led to a degree in biology with a focus on wildlife from East Central University in Ada, and that love of the outdoors influences his photography today.

“I express my images in the way the moment made its impression on me, and how I remembered it,” he said. “I don’t simply snap the shot, I take the shot and develop it as an artistic expression.”

Woods’ photography has twice been honored as the Best of Show at the Artist of the Arbuckles Photography Expo. Woods has also shown his work at the Chickasaw Visitor Center in Sulphur and Exhibit C in Oklahoma City.

Woods said he studied art through different mediums and those studies helped shape his photography.

“I started photography when I was 14 years old, still back when most cameras were film. While in school, when others joined up for sports I enrolled in an extra hour of art,” he said. “I always enjoyed learning and developing my talents in many areas including drawing, painting with watercolor, acrylic and pastels. However, over the years, photography is where I enjoyed expressing myself the most. I believe all the others helped me develop my own artistic viewpoint.”

Visitors can meet Woods and talk with him about his works at an artist reception from 1-3 p.m. on Saturday, November 17 at the Chickasaw Nation Welcome Center.

Chickasaw Country Native American Youth Christmas Art Show, Chickasaw Nation Information Center, Tishomingo – Exhibit runs Dec. 1 through Feb. 28

The Chickasaw Country Native Youth Christmas Art Show will run from December 1, 2018, through February 28, 2019, at the Chickasaw Nation Information Center in Tishomingo.

The show will feature works of various mediums and subjects created by Native American students in grades one through 12. One hundred percent of all sales will go to the artists.

“Working with young Native American artists is a great way to promote developing talent and build future partnerships,” said Mrs. Shepherd. “We’re excited to show off the work of these young artists.”

As part of the show, Chickasaw Press author Trey Hays will hold a book signing in celebration of his children’s book “Little Loksi” that was recently published. The signing takes place from 2-4 p.m. on Saturday, December 15. Later that night, attendees can enjoy the Johnston County Christmas Parade in Tishomingo. The parade starts at 6 p.m. at the Tishomingo High School parking lot and proceeds down Main Street to Capitol Street. Families can get pictures with Santa or The Grinch after the parade.

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Chickasaw Nation Information Center in Tishomingo, Oklahoma

The Chickasaw Nation Information Center serves as a gateway for the many attractions in this historic section of the Chickasaw Nation, including the Chickasaw Capitol Building and Council House Museum, Chickasaw White House, Tishomingo National Wildlife Refuge and Blue River. Located at the intersection of Capitol and Main streets, the 10,700-square-foot Information Center houses the Chickasaw Nation Tourism Department, tribal Office of Special Events, Johnston County Chamber of Commerce and Johnston County Historical Society. To learn more, call 580-387-2762 or visit Chickasaw Country’s website at ChickasawCountry.com.

Chickasaw Nation Welcome Center in Davis, Oklahoma

Chickasaw Nation Welcome Center is located at the southwest corner of exit 55 on Interstate 35. Opened in November 2012, the Chickasaw Nation Welcome Center has several amenities including a lounge area, vending machines, an outdoor children’s playground, a dog park and Bedré Fine Chocolate right next door. Hours of operation are Monday through Sunday, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. For more information about the center call 580-369-4222 or visit Chickasaw Country’s website atChickasawCountry.com.

Chickasaw Visitor Center in Sulphur, Oklahoma

The Chickasaw Visitor Center is located at the northeast corner of Broadway and State Highway 7 in Sulphur and next to the historic Artesian Hotel, Casino and Spa. Opened in November 2013, the Chickasaw Visitor Center includes a lounge area, a gift shop and multi-media video room. Hours of operation are Monday through Sunday, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. For more information about the center, call 580-622-8050 or visit Chickasaw Country’s website at ChickasawCountry.com.

About Chickasaw Country

Nestled in south-central Oklahoma, Chickasaw Country is a regional tourism organization representing 13 of Oklahoma’s 77 counties. As the official destination tourism organization, Chickasaw Country includes 7,648 square miles, 11 percent of Oklahoma’s total 68,597 square miles. Chickasaw Country, a division of the Chickasaw Nation, is a tourism source for visitors and communities within the region and promotes destinations, attractions and festivals. Chickasaw Country is a diverse and culturally-vested destination, with new adventures and experiences around every corner.

About the Chickasaw Nation
With more than 60,000 citizens, the Chickasaw Nation is the 12th largest federally-recognized Indian tribe in the United States. The Chickasaw Nation has an annual economic impact of more than $2.4 billion in Oklahoma. The tribe has more than 14,000 employees. A democratic republic with executive, legislative and judicial departments, the tribe’s jurisdictional territory includes all or part of 13 counties in south-central Oklahoma.