Clara Archilta facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Clara Archilta
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|---|---|
| Born |
Clara Williams
September 26, 1912 |
| Died | September 30, 1994 (aged 82) |
| Spouse(s) | Ward Archilta |
Clara Williams Archilta (September 26, 1912 – September 30, 1994) was an amazing artist. She was a Kiowa, Apache, and Tonkawa painter and beadworker. Clara Archilta was known for her beautiful watercolor paintings and detailed beadwork. She taught herself art and didn't have any formal training.
Who Was Clara Archilta?
Clara Williams was born on September 26, 1912. Her father, David Williams, was from the Tonkawa tribe. Her mother, Helen Tseeltsesah-Sunrise, was Kiowa-Apache.
Early Life and Family
Clara grew up in Oklahoma. She went to Boone School in Apache, Oklahoma. Later, she spent two years at the U.S. Chilocco Indian School. She finished school after the eighth grade.
Clara married Ward Archilta. Together, they had six children. Family was very important to her.
Becoming an Artist
In 1956, Clara's husband passed away. She needed a way to support her family. So, the very next year, she started to paint. Even with a serious arm injury, she quickly became good at it.
Soon, Clara began to sell her artwork. She started to become well-known as an artist. She was the first woman to show a collection of her paintings at the American Indian Exposition in Anadarko, Oklahoma. Her art was also displayed at the Philbrook Art Center. Some of her work is kept in the collection of the Bureau of Indian Affairs in Anadarko.
Her Unique Art and Legacy
Clara Archilta was also a very important person in her community. She was the head woman dancer for the Apache Blackfeet Society. This shows her deep connection to her culture.
In the late 1950s, she painted a special version of the Kiowa-Apache Blackfeet Dance. This painting is very rare. It shows the Manatidie dancers performing an older version of the dance. This version hadn't been performed since the early 1900s. Her painting helps us remember important traditions.
Clara Archilta passed away on September 30, 1994. Her art and her contributions to her community are still remembered today.
