TAHLEQUAH — This summer the Cherokee Arts Center in Tahlequah will be offering art classes that teach participants how to make traditional Cherokee crafts including shell gorgets, pucker-toe moccasins, loom weaving, silversmithing and life drawing.

Cherokee National Treasure Knokovtee Scott will be teaching artists how to create shell gorgets, a Native American art form of polished, carved shell pendants worn around the neck. His six-week course will focus on Mankiller pearl shells, a purple mussel shell named after Wilma Mankiller, the tribe’s first female chief.  The six-week class will take place from 6–8 p.m. every Monday beginning Aug. 6 or every Wednesday starting Aug. 8. Registration is $40 per class with a $40 deposit to reserve a seat. There is also a one-time $45 fee for materials.

Sandra Pallie, a Cherokee and Choctaw artist, will be teaching participants how to make Cherokee pucker-toe moccasins on Aug. 18 and 25 from 10 a.m.–4 p.m. The first class will focus on making the moccasins and the second class will consist of decorating the traditional shoes with beads. The fee is $135 for both classes and includes all materials.

Dorothy Ice, a member of the Cherokee Weavers group, will be teaching two table-top loom classes starting in August. The class will include instruction on how to put together the loom, thread the yarn and create designs. The first class will be every Wednesday night from 6–8 p.m. for six weeks starting on Aug. 1. The second class will be every Saturday from 12–4 p.m. for six weeks starting Aug. 4. The fee is $40 per week with an $80 deposit.

Those looking to express their creative side in a more industrial manner can participate in the center’s silversmith class, which can be taken anytime. The workshop will focus on familiarization of shop tools, equipment, creation of jewelry and polishing. The fee is $240 with a $75 deposit.

Every Friday night from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. the Arts Center also offers a life drawing workshop, which consists of live models in multiple poses. Artists are encouraged to bring their own materials in their medium of choice. The fee is $5 per class.

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 contact Valerie Diffee at (918) 453-5728 or valerie-scraper@cherokee.org.