Lena Marie Blackbird was an American Cherokee artist who lived in Tahlequah, Oklahoma.
15 Facts About Lena Blackbird
1.
2.
Lena Blackbird was best known for her Cherokee double-walled basket weaving.
3.
Lena Blackbird was the first of the Cherokee basket makers to decorate the tops of her baskets and incorporate vases within her baskets.
4.
Lena Blackbird was raised by her parents in Cherokee County, Oklahoma, where she attended school until grade eight.
5.
Lena Blackbird was the sixth of eight children in the family.
6.
In 1986, Lena Blackbird began work as a demonstrator at the Tsa-La-Gi Village at the Cherokee Heritage Center.
7.
Lena Blackbird learned using commercial reed from the other women that demonstrated the art for tourists.
8.
Almost immediately after she learned how to weave baskets, Lena Blackbird began selling her artwork.
9.
Lena Blackbird's baskets are notable because she began adorning the top with acorns which caught on with other artists.
10.
Lena Blackbird typically worked with commercial reed and honeysuckle rather than using the traditional natural reed.
11.
In 1996, Lena Blackbird took the grand prize at the Art under the Oaks competition in Muskogee, Oklahoma, for her first basket entered in a show.
12.
In 2001, Lena Blackbird earned special merit for her honeysuckle basket at the Cherokee National Museum's Trail of Tears Art Show and first place in the basketry division of the Cherokee Homecoming Art Show.
13.
Lena Blackbird was honored again in 2004 at the ninth annual Cherokee Homecoming Art Show for her piece, Let Freedom Ring, which took first place in the contemporary division of basketry.
14.
Lena Blackbird died at the age of 88 on December 6,2021, in Cherokee County, Oklahoma.
15.
Lena Blackbird was laid to rest at Bill Batt Cemetery.