Edwin George

Edwin George (1934 - June 30, 2022)[1] was a Cherokee folk artist and muralist.[2]

Personal life

George was born and raised in Cherokee, North Carolina, in a home that spoke only Cherokee.[3] He was a member of the sovereign nation of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians.[4] He married author Elly-Kree McKay George,[5] and he was the step-grandfather of ceramic sculptor Janis Mars Wunderlich.[6]

Career

George worked as a custodian at Kent State University from 1983 to 1998. He began painting in 1991, and took it up full time upon his retirement.[4] He was also sought after as one of the few speakers of the Cherokee language.[7]

Awards and recognition

  • 2011 Ohio Heritage Fellowship Recipient[8][9]

Murals

References

  1. ^ "OBITUARY: Edwin George". theonefeather.com. Retrieved 27 December 2024.
  2. ^ "Who Was Edwin George? Cherokee Artist". standingrock.net. Standing Rock Cultural Arts. Retrieved 13 January 2025.
  3. ^ "Edwin George". cfs.osu.edu. Ohio State University. Retrieved 27 December 2024.
  4. ^ a b c Brown, Jeremy (June 23, 2024). "Exhibit at Standing Rock Cultural Arts praises the colorful world of Edwin George". The Portager. The Portager. Retrieved 27 December 2024.
  5. ^ "Authors » Elly-Kree George". strongnations.com. Strong Nations Publishing Inc. Retrieved 27 December 2024.
  6. ^ McNamara, Barry. "Woman in the Woods". monmouthcollege.edu. Monmouth College. Retrieved 27 December 2024.
  7. ^ "Kamama Prairie". arcofappalachia.org. Arc of Appalachia. Retrieved 27 December 2024.
  8. ^ "Ohio Folk & Traditional Arts » Profiles". ohioartscouncil.org. Ohio Arts Council. Retrieved 27 December 2024.
  9. ^ "Traditions: Edwin George, Painter". pbs.org. PBS. Retrieved 27 December 2024.