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Comanche
museum acquires Watchetaker painting
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| LAWTON,
OK – In just less than three years, the Comanche National Museum and
Cultural Center in Lawton, Oklahoma, has become home to one of the
most comprehensive collections of Comanche Fine Art in the world.
When the small Southwest Oklahoma tribal museum opened in 2007, there
were very few pieces the museum could call its own. Since then, the
museum’s Collections Department has attained a variety of items, including
120 paintings by 22 different Comanche artists. Its latest acquisition:
six rare paintings by world renowned Comanche artist, dancer and spiritual
leader George “Woogie” Watchetaker. The museum staff recently purchased
the painting from art collector Bert Koch of Dallas, Texas. “Mr. Koch
contacted us to see if we wanted them and we jumped at the opportunity,”
said Phyllis Wahahrockah-Tasi, Executive Director. “Woogie Watchetaker
is one of the tribes’ most distinguished figures of the 20th century.
He had an extraordinary way of using his art to depict American Indian
life. |

Comanche
National Museum Cultural Specialist Bambi Allen (left) and Executive
Director Phyllis Wahahrockah-Tasi (right) hang a newly acquired
piece by renowned Comanche artist George "Woogie" Watchetaker.
The painting is one of six paintings recently added to the museum's
growing collections.
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His work has
won numerous awards and has shown in galleries all around the world.
It’s also extremely hard to acquire so we are very fortunate to
own these pieces.”
The museum also
houses 14 sculptures by 11 different Comanche artists as well as
600 various Comanche items including photographs and regalia. “We
are experiencing some growing pains but that’s not necessarily a
bad thing. We’ve had to purchase special shelving and moveable walls
to store all of our items. When I first started working at the museum,
our collection consisted of a couple dozen items laid out on a folding
table. As we slowly began accumulating various things, we’ve had
to find ways accommodate our growth," Wahahrockah-Tasi said.
"Our entire staff understands the importance of preserving
our history and culture and we are all committed to doing whatever
it takes to make sure the legacy of our Comanche Nation lives on
for generations to come. We are a work in progress but we’re off
to a very good start.”
The Comanche
National Museum and Cultural Center is an entity of the Comanche
Nation of Oklahoma. The museum offers visitors a glimpse of traditional
cultural items and detailed history about the tribe, allowing visitors
a better understanding about the Comanches, the largest American
Indian tribe in the Lawton-Fort Sill area
The museum is
located 701 NW Ferris Avenue in Lawton, behind McMahon Auditorium.
The hours of operations are Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to
5:00 p.m. and Saturdays, 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Admission is free
and tour groups are welcome.
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Available
for the first time on DVD The Great American Foot Race is a
story about Andy Payne, a small-town Cherokee farm boy. Facing scorching
temperatures Andy Payne takes home the gold after winning a grueling
3,422-mile foot race designed to bring attention to the newly designated
Route 66 Highway. The race recounted in this Emmy-nominated film became
one of the wildest promotion schemes in history, allowing Andy to
win enough money to marry his girl and keep the family farm.
Produced
by Oklahoma residents Dan Bigbee, Jr. and Lily Shangreaux, The
Great American Foot Race was first aired on PBS in 2002. It
enjoyed re-broadcast in November on OETA, the Oklahoma PBS affiliate.
To
order your copy go to Visionmaker
Video
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Performance & Art Events
Beginning
March 2, 2010 - 11:00 am - 2:00 pm - Indian Taco Tuesdays, Jacobson
House, 609 Chautauqua Ave., Norman, OK. 405-366-1667
Beginning
March 4, 2010 - Every Thursday 6-7:30pm, Kiowa Language Classes,
facilitated by Carole Willis and Dane Poolaw. Jacobson House,
609 Chautauqua Ave., Norman, OK. 405-366-1667
Every
Wednesday 7-8:30 pm, Powwow Singing, facilitated by John Kemble.
Jacobson House, 609 Chautauqua Ave., Norman, OK. 405-366-1667.
First
Friday of the month - 7-9pm, Flute Circle, facilitated by Dr.
Paula Conlon and Deborah Kay. Jacobson House, 609 Chautauqua Ave.,
Norman, OK. 405-366-1667.
Second
Friday Circuit of Art, Norman, OK. Various shops and galleries
in downtown Norman. For information call the Norman Arts Council
405-360-1162.
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