Artist Talk with Karen Sixkiller: Cherokee Water Beetle Brings Sacred Earth to North Carolina

Artist Talk with Karen Sixkiller: Cherokee Water Beetle Brings Sacred Earth to North Carolina with Karen Sixkiller Tuesday, April 28  |  5:30 – 7 pm REGISTER HERE Learn about how one of the oldest Cherokee stories inspired Artist Karen Sixkiller to create the new ‘Sacred Earth’ sculptural installation at The North Carolina Arboretum.  Sixkiller explores the aspects of magical realism and symbolism that combine her larger-than-life water beetle with the faceted geometric “mud” he perches on. Follow the technical journey of Karen Sixkiller’s simple clay maquette through the process of becoming a large bronze piece of public art. Karen Sixkiller is a contemporary sculptor residing on the Olympic Peninsula of Washington state. Sixkiller creates sculptures using metal, ceramic, glass beads, leather/suede and fabric. As a Cherokee Nation citizen much of her work is informed by Native American understandings or stories. Cherokee Nation has purchased many of Karen Sixkiller’s ceramic and mixed media sculptural pieces for display in official buildings. She has permanent public art installations in Tahlequah OK, Olympia and Port Angeles WA, and now Asheville NC; as well as several temporary installations in Coeur d’Alene ID, Olympia WA and Lake Oswego OR. Her work has been featured at multiple Indigenous and non-Indigenous art shows. Members: Remember to enter your promo code upon checkout to receive your 10% member discount! Email adulteducation@ncarboretum.org with questions. See a full listing of Adult Education Programs at the North Carolina Arboretum here! Questions? Check our FAQs. We are committed to fostering a diverse, supportive learning community. If the cost of a class is a barrier for you, please complete this scholarship form and we will see what kind of assistance we can provide. Follow us on Facebook & Instagram! Join our Adult Education Student Hub on Discord! Interested in supporting the NC Arboretum more directly? Donate to the ONE Fund here. See all of our classes open for registration here!