Isabella Flores
The Cherokee Bears Project is a town-wide art installation in Cherokee, North Carolina, that began in 2005. The project features life-size bear statues, painted by different local Cherokee artists, that are scattered throughout the town. The project aims to showcase the talent of Cherokee artists and celebrate Cherokee culture, history, and traditions, with bears holding cultural significance in Cherokee legends and folklore. The self-guided bear hunt is a fun and free way for visitors to explore the town and learn about Cherokee heritage.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of bears | 20 |
| Year started | 2005 |
| Theme | Bears |
| Artist count | 25 |
| Artist location | Local Cherokee |
| Artist type | Different local artists |
| Bear material | Fiberglass |
| Bear size | Life-size |
| Bear location | In and around downtown Cherokee |
| Guide | Map available |
| Self-guided tour | Yes |
| Tour duration | Year-round |
| Tour cost | Free |
| Examples of bear names | Forefathers Bear, Sequoyah Bear, Eagle Dancer Bear, Cherokee Sunset Bear, Patriot Bear, Bear on the Little Tennessee River, Language Bear, Children's Mixed Bear, Legends Bear, Out of Hiber-Nation Bear, Harmony of Life Bear, Big Cove Bear |
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What You'll Learn
The project started in 2005 to showcase local artists
The Cherokee Bears Project is a town-wide art installation that began in 2005 to showcase the talent of local artists within the Qualla Boundary. The project features 20 life-size bear statues, each painted by a different local Cherokee artist. However, some sources state that there are 15 or 19 bears in total. The number may vary as some are in the process of being restored due to fading colours. The bears are made of fibreglass and are dotted throughout the town of Cherokee, North Carolina.
Bears hold cultural significance in Cherokee folklore and legends, and the project aims to celebrate Cherokee culture, history, and traditions. Each bear tells a unique story, with some paying tribute to Cherokee veterans and others reflecting the importance of the Little Tennessee River in Cherokee life. The self-guided bear hunt is a fun and interactive way for visitors to explore the town and learn about the deep significance of bears in Cherokee heritage.
The project began with a committee that researched various concepts before settling on the bear theme. They intended to create something culturally significant that would showcase the artistic talent within the community. The bear statues stand as a testament to the rich cultural heritage of the Cherokee Nation and the creativity of its people.
Some notable bears include the Forefathers Bear, painted by Tim Chiltoskie, which honours Cherokee ancestors and their influence on modern Cherokee identity. The Children's Mixed Bear, painted by the Cherokee Youth Centre, is a colourful and playful bear that showcases the creativity of Cherokee youth. Another bear, titled Legends, was painted by Henrietta Lambert and brings to life Cherokee myths and stories, celebrating the tribe's rich oral tradition.
The Cherokee Bears Project is a unique and meaningful way to explore Cherokee, North Carolina. It offers visitors a fun and interactive experience while also providing a deeper understanding of Cherokee culture and history. The project has successfully showcased the talent of local artists and has become an integral part of the town's cultural offerings.
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$17.5
Bears are significant in Cherokee culture and legends
The Cherokee Bears Project, which began in 2005, showcases the work of various artists within the Qualla Boundary. The project features painted fiberglass bears placed throughout the town of Cherokee, North Carolina, mostly around downtown and key cultural sites. Each bear statue has a plaque with the artist's name and an explanation of the design. Bears hold cultural and spiritual significance in Cherokee history and legends.
The Cherokee people, who inhabited the southern highlands of the Blue Ridge Smoky Mountains, have a rich history and culture that date back thousands of years. They believed in monotheism, recognising one God, but also saw reflections of the Great Spirit in nature and wildlife. The Black Bear holds particular significance in their myths and legends.
One Cherokee legend speaks of a mysterious lake high in the mountains where wounded animals, especially Black Bears, would go to heal. The bear would plunge into the cool waters, swim across, and emerge on the opposite shore completely healed of its wounds. This legend reflects the Cherokee's deep connection with nature and their belief in the spiritual power of the natural world.
Another Cherokee story involves a boy from the Ani-Tsa-gu-hi clan who would spend all day in the mountains, eventually revealing to his worried parents that he preferred the food in the woods and that his body was beginning to change, with long brown hair growing all over it. The boy decides to leave his family and live in the woods permanently, becoming a bear. This tale highlights the cultural significance of bears in the Cherokee belief system, suggesting a spiritual connection between humans and bears.
Additionally, the Cherokee culture recognises Seven Clan Spirits: Bird, Blue, Deer, Hair, Paint, Wild Potato, and Wolf. It is believed that long ago, an eighth clan was recognised: the Bear Clan. This further emphasises the importance of bears in Cherokee culture and legends.
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The statues are made of fibreglass
One bear, decorated by Charles Saunooke, is in honour of Sequoyah, a Cherokee silversmith who created a Cherokee alphabet in the 1800s. Another bear, "Our Forefathers", was decorated by Tim Chilttoskie. From a distance, it looks like it is made of marble, but up close, you can see a fine winter landscape painted on its back. Winter Bear, by Jenean Hornbuckle, also features a similar winter scene.
Other bears include Legendary Sunrise by Helen Martin Brings Plenty, which was the first bear on the tracking map, and Patriot Bear, by William Harris, Jr., which honours the veterans of the Armed Forces. The Bear Project blog also mentions a bear in Cherokee Veteran's Park, which features an American flag.
The Bear Project is not the first public art initiative of its kind. Kansas City had a cow art project in 2001, and St. Louis has cakes with candles. Sydney Festival once dotted cows all over the state, and Atlanta and Charleston have had dolphins and turtles, respectively.
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Each bear statue tells a story
The town of Cherokee, North Carolina, is home to the Bears Project, a town-wide art installation that began in 2005. The project features 20 life-size bear statues, each painted by a different local Cherokee artist. The bears are made of fibreglass and are dotted throughout the town. The project was conceived to showcase the talent of artists within the Qualla Boundary and to highlight the cultural significance of bears in Cherokee folklore and legends.
Each bear tells a unique story, celebrating Cherokee culture, history, and traditions. For example, the Sequoyah Bear, painted by Charles Saunooke, honours Sequoyah, the creator of the Cherokee syllabary, thus symbolizing the importance of language and literacy in Cherokee culture. The Eagle Dancer Bear, painted by Lora Powell, depicts the Eagle Dance, a traditional ceremony symbolizing strength and spiritual connection. The Patriot Bear, painted by William Harris Jr., pays tribute to Cherokee veterans and their service throughout American history.
The Children's Mixed Bear, painted by the Cherokee Youth Centre, showcases the creativity of Cherokee youth with its playful and colourful design. The Legends Bear, painted by Henrietta Lambert, brings to life Cherokee myths and oral traditions. The Forefathers Bear, painted by Tim Chiltoskie, honours Cherokee ancestors and their enduring influence on modern Cherokee identity. The Winter Bear, by Jenean Hornbuckle, features a fine winter landscape on its back, as if it were painted with a Chinese brush.
These bears, and others like them throughout the town, serve as a self-guided tour, allowing visitors to explore Cherokee culture and artistry in a fun and interactive way.
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The bear hunt is a self-guided tour
There are currently 15 bears on view in and around downtown Cherokee, though some sources state there are 19 or 20. You can pick up a map to find all the bears on the reservation. The bears are a fun, easy, and meaningful way to explore Cherokee and learn about the deep significance of bears in Cherokee heritage. The artwork is well worth seeing, and the self-guided tour is a fantastic way to experience the town and its culture.
The bear project was chosen as bears are a large part of Cherokee culture and appear in many Cherokee folk tales and legends. The bears also symbolize the Bear Clan, which is believed to be an eighth clan recognized by the Cherokee culture many moons ago. The artists who decorated the bears were all from the Eastern Band of Cherokee. Each bear has its own unique design, with some featuring masks, and others painted with fine landscapes.
Some of the bears you can expect to see on your self-guided tour include:
- Forefathers Bear by Tim Chiltoskie, which honours Cherokee ancestors and their enduring influence on modern Cherokee identity.
- Eagle Dancer Bear by Lora Powell, which depicts the Eagle Dance, a traditional ceremony symbolizing strength and spiritual connection.
- Legends Bear by Henrietta Lambert, which showcases Cherokee myths and stories, celebrating the tribe's rich oral tradition.
- Patriot Bear by William Harris Jr., which pays tribute to Cherokee veterans and their service throughout American history.
- Cherokee Sunset Bear by Joel Queen, which captures the vibrant beauty of sunsets over Cherokee lands.
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Frequently asked questions
The Cherokee Bears Project is a town-wide art installation in Cherokee, North Carolina, that began in 2005. It features life-size bear statues, painted by local Cherokee artists, that tell a story about the town's culture, history, and traditions.
Bears are a significant part of Cherokee culture and appear in many Cherokee folk tales and legends. The bear is one of the Seven Clan Spirits, which also include Bird, Blue, Deer, Hair, Paint, Wild Potato, and Wolf.
There are 20 painted bears in and around downtown Cherokee, North Carolina.
