Chickasaw artists are invited to submit proposals for a unique painting to commemorate the grand opening of the Chickasaw Cultural Center. The artist submitting the winning proposal will be commissioned to create a painting for the fall 2009 opening of the cultural center in Sulphur, Okla.

“It is fitting that a Chickasaw artist will have this opportunity to create this work of art which will express the spirit, culture and heritage of Chickasaw people,” said Chickasaw Nation Governor Bill Anoatubby.

Lona Barrick, administrator of the Chickasaw Nation Division of Arts and Humanities, said artists should develop proposals based on the 2009 Annual Meeting theme, ‘Remembering our Past, Building our Future.’

“We want a painting which will encompass this theme in a remarkable work of art which will become an integral part of the cultural center,” said Barrick.

Any Chickasaw artist may submit a proposal for this commemorative painting. The painting may be in oil, acrylic, watercolor or pen and ink. Minimum size is 30” x 40”. Maximum size is 4’ x 5’.   

The proposal should contain a description of the finished piece as well as the medium to be used. Deadline for submission of proposals is March 23, 2009.  Proposals should be submitted either by e-mail or CD. 

A panel will review each proposal and select the winning artist in April, 2009.   The work must be completed by July 1. The selected artist will be recognized at the 2009 Annual Meeting and Festival.

This will be the first of a number of works to be commissioned and future works will be requested in other media. 

For information, contact the Chickasaw Nation Division of Arts and Humanities at (580) 272-5520 or e-mail artistinfo@chickasaw.net.