Cecil Dick facts for kids

Cecil Dick, also known by his Cherokee name Degadoga, was a famous artist from the Cherokee Nation. Many people called him "the Father of Cherokee Traditional Art." He lived from 1915 to 1992.

Early Life and Education

Cecil Dick was born in 1915 near Rose Prairie, Oklahoma. He was a very important artist who helped create a style of painting called "flat-style" in the 20th century. This style was popular among Native American tribes in the Eastern Woodlands, especially in Oklahoma.

Cecil was a member of both the Cherokee Nation and the United Keetoowah Band of Cherokee Indians. When he was a child, he spoke only the Cherokee language. He became an orphan at age 12 and grew up in Indian boarding schools. He studied art at "The Studio" at the Santa Fe Indian School and later at Bacone College.

Artistic Career and Achievements

Cecil Dick did not paint all the time. He only painted when he felt inspired. To support himself, he often worked as a draftsman, drawing plans, and as a sign painter. Because of this, his original artworks are quite rare.

He also became well-known for his deep knowledge of Cherokee stories and the written Cherokee language.

Awards and Recognition

Cecil Dick was the first Native American artist to win an award at the Oklahoma Artists Exhibition. This event took place at the Philbrook Museum of Art in Tulsa.

In 1983, the Cherokee Nation honored Cecil with the Sequoyah Medal. This award recognized his intelligence and artistic talents. That same year, the Cherokee Heritage Association held a special exhibition. It showed his artworks from the past 50 years.

In 1991, the Five Civilized Tribes Museum in Muskogee, Oklahoma created an award in his honor. It is called the "Cecil Dick Master of Heritage Award." This award is given each year to artists who create outstanding flat-style paintings.

Where to See His Art

After Cecil Dick passed away, his obituary mentioned where some of his paintings could be found. His artworks are displayed in important places like the Smithsonian Institution in Washington, D.C. You can also see his art at the Heard Museum in Phoenix, the Gilcrease Museum in Tulsa, and the Five Civilized Tribes Museum in Muskogee.

Legacy

Cecil Dick passed away in 1992 in Tahlequah, Oklahoma. For over 50 years, he dedicated his life to capturing Cherokee culture and history through his art.

In 1996, a group of doctors in Tahlequah gave an original mural by Cecil Dick to the Cherokee Nation. One of the doctors had asked Cecil to create this artwork in 1960. The mural is about 4 feet (1.2 meters) tall and 15 feet (4.6 meters) wide. It is called "The Curing of the Fever." It shows how the Cherokee people practiced healing before they met Europeans. Experts have said this mural could be worth between $65,000 and $100,000.