Twenty-six years ago when The American Indian Theatre Company of Oklahoma performed "The Trial of Standing Bear," Randy Mantooth came from California to Tulsa to portray Standing Bear. He commented to Monetta Trepp that since Tulsa is in the heart of Indian Country, American Indian artwork should play a prominent role in the city and he found none. Around November, 1986, Monetta and five of her friends met for lunch and the Tulsa Indian Art Festival was conceived. The goal was to showcase the outstanding artwork of Oklahoma's Indian Country and to create an awareness of the rich and diverse culture of the American Indian. At that time, there was no other annual Indian fine art market in Oklahoma. There was no money, there were no artists contacts, and no one knew what a "Festival" should be or how to accomplish whatever that was. Good intentions and faith would be enough.

On March 20, 1987, the first Tulsa Indian Art Festival (TIAF) was held in the Pavilion at Expo Square at the Tulsa fairgrounds. Ben Shoemaker had donated a painting to the American Indian Theatre Company of Oklahoma, so Ben's painting, "The First Night" was the featured artwork. Approximately 40 artists exhibited and about 100 dancers participated in the Pow Wow. Attendance exceeded all expectations. It was a magical event and after 26 years, people still comment on that "magic."

Skip Rowell was featured artist the second year. After the success of the previous year, the Festival moved to the lower level of the Exposition Center. Artists from all across the U.S. came to Tulsa to exhibit. Growing pains became obvious to all involved, and again, faith and good intentions prevailed. The Festival continued and moved back to the Pavilion. Soon the Pavilion was too small so it was on to the Trade Center.
Arvest Bank became the corporate sponsor and provided funds for a move to the upper level of the Exposition Center. By this time, there were over 100 exhibiting well-known artists and over 600 participating dancers. Friday was "education day" and 2,000 to 3,000 students from all over Oklahoma and some from Kansas and Arkansas attended. With the retirement of Jimmie Wildcat, the Pow Wow was discontinued. The Festival moved to Greenwood Cultural Center to focus on fine art.

Throughout its 26 year history, the Festival has survived snow storms, tornado sirens, electrical failure, lack of funding and numerous moves. Two of the founders have remained active. The Tulsa community has become more involved. American Indian art has become a household word. Many American Indian students have been recipients of the TIAF scholarship program and Tulsa has become known as a destination for American Indian art.

The 26th Tulsa Indian Art Festival will be held at Glenpool Conference Center (www.glenpoolconferencecenter.com) at Hwy. 75 and 121st Street, in south Tulsa County -- for directions please click here.