Caddo artist Chase Earles wins Best of Show
More than 125 First American artists participated in the annual Hushtola Art Market, Dec. 13-14, at OKANA Resort & Indoor Waterpark in Oklahoma City.
Hosted by the Chickasaw Nation, artists representing several federally recognized First American tribes from across the United States showcased a vast selection of original art in 20 categories.
Works by two Caddo artists and a Cherokee artist earned top awards at the third annual Hushtola Art Market.
Caddo artist Chase Kahwinhut Earles’ clay pottery piece “The Caddo Story of Night and Day Jar” was named Best of Show. “The Caddo Story of Night and Day Jar” also earned Best of Show honors during October’s Southeastern Art Show and Market (SEASAM) in Tishomingo, Oklahoma.
To be honored with the top award at a Chickasaw Nation art market twice is an incredible feeling, Earles, of Ada, Oklahoma, said.
“Winning the Best of Show at the Chickasaw’s SEASAM show was unbelievable. Now winning Best of Show at the Chickasaw’s Hushtola market is just beyond imagination. Beyond my wildest dreams.”
He said the honors have revealed and confirmed some important aspects of why he chose to pursue art full time many years ago.
“It has shown me that being persistent and having a drive to create something meaningful really does pay off. This is my 16th year as an artist. It is telling me that the Creator is so graceful and blesses those that create glorious things through him,” he said.
“This second Best of Show at a Chickasaw art show shows me how generous and supportive the Chickasaws are of all people and all Native arts.”
The award is his third consecutive Best of Show honor in 2025 in Oklahoma First American art shows and it confirms his goal of carrying on the tradition of Caddo pottery. “It validates to me that I am accomplishing my goal of bringing awareness of the Caddo people, our cultural identity and our art, and that it is beautiful.”
In accordance with Caddo pottery crafting tradition, Earles digs his own clay along the banks of the Red River in the Caddo homeland area. He also harvests mussels in Oklahoma lakes and rivers. The mussel shells are crushed and put into the clay. After the clay is aged, it is coiled by hand.
Next, the piece is burnished four times with a small rock until it shines, and then it is fired the way Caddo ancestors did, with a bonfire.
Engraving designs onto the creation is the final step of the lengthy process. “The Caddo Story of Night and Day Jar” retells the “Spotted Deer Story” through its designs.
Earles also creates pottery, sculpture, conceptual and contemporary works in the modern process, from a traditional Caddo stirrup pot — which won first place in Hushtola’s Contemporary Art Piece category — to skateboards, alligator gar fish and skateboard shoes effigies.
Best of 2-D Art
Best of 2-D art was awarded to Caddo artist Chad “Nish” Earles for his entry “Nu Kah-Oh-Shun Nutti” (Turkey Dance Woman). Chad Earles, the younger brother of Chase Earles, is a visual artist and designer. Based in Oklahoma City, Chad Earles is skilled in various art mediums, including painting, drawing, printmaking and digital art.
Best of 3-D Art – Best of Culture
Cherokee artist Troy Jackson’s sculpture “Battle of a Nation” was awarded Best of 3-D art by Hushtola judges; and his piece “Cherokee Rose 3” was awarded Best of Culture.
Jackson, of Tahlequah, Oklahoma, is a self-taught sculptor and ceramist. Honored as a Cherokee National Treasure, Jackson is known for intricate works of art that incorporate Cherokee culture, personal identity and contemporary themes.