Hushtola Art Market 2026

Hushtola Art Market is open to any citizen/member of a federally recognized First American tribe. The market will be 11 a.m. - 6 p.m., Saturday and Sunday, December 12-13, 2026 at the Okana Resort & Indoor Waterpark in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. 

The competition art show and market includes artwork by First American artists in 20 categories with prize money totaling over $70,000.

Participating artists must be over the age of 18 at the time of application. 

Exhibitors must comply with the Indian Arts and Crafts Act of 1990 (https://www.doi.gov/iacb/act) for labeling and sales. All items offered for sale must be properly represented. The use of feathers or fur must comply with all federal, tribal and state laws and regulations.

Artwork cannot exceed 72-inches in height, width or depth and must be able to fit through a 30-inch doorway. Regardless of size, should artwork exceed 100 lbs., the artist is solely responsible for unloading, loading and moving the artwork.  

All work submitted for competition must be ready for hanging, including all matted, framed or shrink-wrapped items. The paint and other materials must be dry. It is the responsibility of the artist to ensure their artwork is ready for hanging with appropriate hanging hardware attached to the artwork. Failure to do so may exclude the artwork from judging. 

TWO-DIMENSIONAL ART DIVISION

Painting:  The painting category includes artwork created by applying pigment to a two-dimensional surface. Examples: oil, acrylic, watercolor, gouache, tempera, ink, encaustic, fresco, spray paint, etc., applied on canvas, canvas board, paper or any flat surface. 

Drawing:  The drawing category includes artwork that is manually drawn on a two-dimensional surface. Work submitted to this category includes traditional and contemporary drawing and illustration techniques and can range from highly rendered and stylized to observational and gestural. Examples: pencil, ink, charcoal, pastel, crayon, scratchboard, marker, etc. Digital illustrations should be entered in the digital arts category.

Photography:  The photography category includes images captured by either an analog or digital camera. Examples: black and white photographs, color photographs, digital or analog photographs, photograms, other experimental photography, etc. Editing software is acceptable to use for minor touch-ups and image correction in a manner that replicates traditional darkroom techniques (cropping, dodging, burning, adjusting brightness, contrast, color balance, etc.). Works that are digitally collaged, cloned, layered, merged, distorted or heavily manipulated with computer software must be submitted in the graphic arts category.  

Digital Arts:  The digital arts category includes artistic works that use digital technology as an essential part of the creative process or as the medium for producing art. It blends traditional artistic techniques with modern technology, allowing for new forms of expression and interactivity.

Printmaking:  The printmaking category includes images or designs created by transferring ink or another medium onto a surface, typically paper, fabric or other materials. Printmaking can be done in various methods, including relief printing (e.g., woodcut), intaglio (e.g., etching), lithography and screen printing.

Mixed Media:  The mixed media category includes artwork created by using a mixture of materials and/or techniques that requires the use of two or more fine arts techniques in the creation of a single piece of fine art. Using two types of paint does not constitute a “mixed media” piece. 

THREE-DIMENSIONAL ART DIVISION

Sculpture:  The sculpture category includes three-dimensional art objects created by carving, shaping, combining, modeling, other shaping techniques or casting materials such as plastic, clay, textiles, hand-blown glass, wax or polymers into a work of art. Materials may include but are not limited to clay, cardboard, metal, acrylic, wood, glass, stone, marble, textiles, plastics and found objects. Not allowed: cast resins.

Textiles:  The textiles category includes hand-woven textiles created by the artist by hand and items not specifically made by hand. These items may be woven using a loom, finger weaving, sprang, twining or other techniques done by hand. Not allowed: no towels or other commercial items. No commercial kits, patterns, iron-on appliqué or liquid embroidery will be accepted. No mass-produced items.

Jewelry (Metal, Stone or Organic):  The jewelry (metal, stone or organic) category includes art objects worn for personal adornment. Examples: bracelets, rings, brooches, earrings, cufflinks, necklaces, etc. The majority area of the jewelry piece must be constructed of metal, stone, organic materials or a combination of these. All non-plated metals are allowed and must be identified, e.g., silver, brass and gold. Gold must be at least 14kt. Commercially available glass beads and undyed pearls must be restrung and used in combination with significant handmade components made by the artist. Mold must be handmade, hand-carved and poured by the artist. Wax carving and lost wax casting may only be used for one-of-a-kind items. Commercial chain may be used as a finding with handcrafted items but may not be sold separately. Allowable findings for the purpose of the Hushtola Art Market are defined as “an integral part of the finished product that adapts the product for wearing or use.” Examples of allowable findings are jump rings, earring backs, clasps, barrette clips, money clips, hooks and eyes and leather for bolo straps. German (nickel) silver is acceptable only when its use has been disclosed on the application. 
Not allowed: Imported and/or color-treated nuggets or tumbled chips of any material. Imitation or synthetic turquoise, coral, lapis, opal, etc. This includes synthetic block, constituted and compressed materials, all color-treated, (dyed, heated or irradiated materials), e.g., apple coral, bamboo coral, Mojave green turquoise, machine-made or die-struck components or purchased cast blanks, e.g., rings, bracelets, bezel cups, leaves, bolo tips, etc. Silver or other beads not made by the artist. Machine-made “liquid” silver and gold or plated materials, gold less than 14kt. Any mass-produced items by any casting method.

Jewelry (Other):  The jewelry (other) category includes art objects worn for personal adornment. For shell and bead makers only: Single bead/cone combination to finish ends of necklaces or earrings. Commercially available glass beads and undyed pearls must be restrung and used in combination with significant handmade components made by the artist. Commercial chain may be used as a finding with handcrafted items but may not be sold separately. German (nickel) silver is acceptable only when its use has been disclosed on the application.  
Not allowed: Machine-made or die-struck components or purchased cast blanks, e.g., rings, bracelets, bezel cups, leaves, bolo tips, etc. Silver or other beads not made by the artist. Machine-made “liquid” silver and gold or plated materials; gold less than 14kt. Any mass-produced items by any casting method.  

Contemporary Fashion:  The contemporary fashion category includes items utilizing creative design and presentation of modern clothing and accessories that reflect current trends, cultural influences and innovative artistic expression. This category emphasizes originality, conceptual depth and craftsmanship, blending functionality with aesthetics.

Diverse:  The diverse category includes any items that are not solely represented in another category or incorporates more than one other category. 

CULTURAL ART DIVISION

Baskets:  The baskets category includes all basketry made by hand. All baskets must be hand worked of plants from a tribal tradition, e.g., river cane, yucca, willow, sumac, honeysuckle root, cottonwood, devil’s claw, etc. Plant or mineral dyes are encouraged, but commercial dyes may be used. Attached materials including beads, feathers, tin tinklers, horsehair and paper must comply with Hushtola Art Market standards.

Beadwork/Quillwork:  The beadwork/quillwork category includes pieces created using beadwork and/or quillwork. Examples: jewelry, tapestry, accessories, beaded clothing, etc. Not allowed: plastic or synthetic parts of any kind, e.g., beads, plastic hairpipe, etc. Manufactured, non-First American made or die-struck metal charms, buttons and conchos used for ornamental purposes.

Traditional Dress and Regalia:  The traditional dress and regalia category includes all traditional clothing items and accessories. All sewn items must be designed and sewn by the artist. Extra merit will be given for each component that is handmade by the artist. Extra merit and consideration will be given to items made with native brain-tanned or smoked hides. The application should disclose the methods used. Not allowed: t-shirts, bandanas, towels and other commercial items. No commercial kits, patterns, iron-on appliqué or liquid embroidery will be accepted.

Cultural Items and Replicas:  The cultural items and replicas category may include cultural accessories and/or items used for adornment. Other items may include rattles, drums, flutes, fans, bags, pouches, pipes, etc. Not allowed: commercial kits.

Weaponry:  The weaponry category includes all items that could be used as weapons. Examples: knives, hatchets, bows and arrows, etc.

Pottery (Traditional):  The pottery (traditional) category includes hand-built vessels and hollow objects formed using cultivated clay. Any decorative items not hand-built must be disclosed. Not allowed: slip molds, greenware or commercial pottery. Items constructed by any method other than hand-built. Commercial glazes. Stands must be essential to the stability of the piece.

Pottery (Contemporary):  The pottery (contemporary) category includes vessels and hollow objects formed from clay. This category includes all forms, designs and firing techniques. Not allowed: slip molds, greenware or commercial pottery. Stands must be essential to the stability of the piece.

Diverse:  The diverse category includes any items that are not solely represented in another category or incorporates more than one other category.

Any artist who drops out of the Hushtola Art Market after December 1, 2026, will forfeit their booth fee.