"Growing up, Gordon Yellowman Sr. always knew what he was getting in his Christmas presents.

“Every Christmas, I’d get art supplies. I never got toys. I already knew what I’d get for Christmas. Later on, you know, it was ‘Why don’t I get toys?’ And it was my parents’ way to … support my art. Today, I thank them for it because if it wasn’t for that, I probably wouldn’t have pursued my art,” he said.

A member of the Cheyenne & Arapaho Tribes of Oklahoma, Yellowman, 52, of El Reno, will be recognized as the 2010 Red Earth Festival Honored One this weekend during the 24th annual Red Earth Native American Cultural Festival at the Cox Convention Center.

Each year, the Red Earth board of directors selects an American Indian master visual artist as the Honored One based on nominations from fellow artists. Past recipients include such acclaimed artists as Allan Houser, Mike Larsen and Doc Tate Nevaquaya."

Get the Story:
Bam's Blog: Red Earth Honored One dedicated to preserving tribal culture (The Oklahoman 6/18)

Related Stories:
Red Earth readies for 24th annual festival in Oklahoma City (05/18)