TAHLEQUAH — The Cherokee Arts Center in Tahlequah has five upcoming art classes available this spring for anyone interested in creating traditional pieces of art that are relevant to Cherokee culture.

The First Peoples Fund will be hosting a two-day class for Native artists at the arts center May 11 from 5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. and May 12 from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. FPF programs and trainings are geared to give Native artists the tools and support they need to manage small entrepreneurial businesses to achieve economic success. Participants will receive guidance and resources that will help them achieve sustainability through their artwork.   

Cherokee National Treasure Jane Osti will be teaching two adult clay classes including a pottery class and a sculpture class.

In Osti’s two-day pottery class, participants will learn how to construct coil built pottery using traditional decorating techniques. The course, which is $100, will be held on consecutive Saturdays, May 12 and 19 from 10 a.m. to

2 p.m. Participants must reserve a seat and pay a deposit by May 11.

In the sculpture class, participants will learn how to sculpt realistic and abstract forms that are relevant to Cherokee culture. The three-session course, which is $100, is June 4, 5 and 6 from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. Registration is $50 and participants must reserve a seat by June 1.   

Cherokee National Treasure Knokovtee Scott will teach artists how to create shell gorgets, a Native American art form of polished, carved shell pendants worn around the neck.

The first six-week course will focus on Mankiller pearl shells, a purple mussel shell named after the late Wilma Mankiller, the tribe’s first female chief.  The class is on May 14 and 21 and June 4, 11, 18 and 25 from 6 p.m. to 8p.m. Registration is $40 and must be completed by Friday, May 11.

Scott will also teach a second shell gorget class on May 16, 23 and 30 and June 6, 13 and 20 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Interested participants must register by Thursday, May 15 and pay a $40 deposit.

All art classes are open to the public and held at the Cherokee Arts Center in Tahlequah, 212 S. Water St. For more information or to register for a class  call (918) 453-5728.

 or valerie-scraper@cherokee.org.