“Ancient Cherokee Traditions: Modern Makers,” a group show of Cherokee arts and crafts, will open at the Grove Arcade ARTS & Heritage Gallery in Asheville on Saturday, Nov.11, and will remain on view through Jan. 21, 2007.

A gala opening reception will take place from 3 to 6 p.m. Nov. 11 and will feature Cherokee music, food and entertainment. Participating artists include Pamela Conseen Adams, Davy Arch, Faren Sanders Crews, Emma Garrett, Jenean Hornbuckle, Paul Hornbuckle, Pete Long, Freeman Owle, Joel Queen, Richard Saunooke and James “Bud” Smith. Artwork will include ceramics, stone and wood carvings, native river cane and honeysuckle baskets, painting, beadwork and sculpture.

The goal of the exhibit is to highlight outstanding regional artists who are producing traditional Cherokee work and to educate the public about Cherokee heritage. The story of the Cherokee is a major theme of the Mountain Stories Laser Map that is permanently displayed at the Grove Arcade ARTS & Heritage Gallery.

“Since our opening, Cherokee crafts have been a major emphasis in the gallery,” said Gallery Director Karen Kennedy. “We carry the largest selection of Cherokee crafts in Asheville all year round and this exhibition allows us to showcase some extraordinary artists.”

Joel Queen is a seventh generation potter and wood carver from the Bigmeat family in Cherokee. Queen uses traditional clay building methods that were employed by his ancestors as he hand builds, carves, polishes, and fires each piece in an open pit. He is known for his signature burnished black pieces as well as his raku. “Ancient Cherokee Traditions” will feature a new line of highly carved and polished white vessels, some that tell stories about creation, the corn goddess and more. Queen’s wood carving skills were recently recognized and awarded at the Santa Fe Indian Market hosted by the Southwestern Association for Indian Arts. His Selu Corn Maiden took 1st place in the wood category.

Jenean Hornbuckle uses traditional Cherokee imagery in her mountain landscapes that she paints in oil on canvas. She credits her Cherokee ancestors for her ability to see and reproduce the beauty of the mountains. Hornbuckle was instrumental in starting the Seven Clans Art Guild, a not-for-profit organization dedicated to helping Cherokee artists show and sell their work.

Many of the artists included in the exhibition are seasonally employed at the Oconaluftee Indian Village in Cherokee. Authenticity in process and materials is crucial to their work. Another important aspect of the process is learning from elders and passing on knowledge to keep the Cherokee traditions alive and flourishing.

The ARTS & Heritage Gallery is located in the Grove Arcade at One Page Avenue in downtown Asheville. The Gallery is open to the public 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Saturday and from noon to 5 p.m. Sundays. The gallery hosts craft demonstrations and special programs. A schedule of events can be accessed through www.grovearcade.com or by calling 828.255.0775.