Fred Beaver facts for kids

Fred Beaver (born July 2, 1911 – died August 18, 1980) was a famous Muscogee Creek and Seminole artist. He was known for his paintings and murals. Fred Beaver was from Oklahoma and created art that showed the traditions of his people.

Early Life and Education

Fred Beaver was born in Eufaula, Oklahoma. His Muscogee name was Ekalanee, which means "Brown Head." He grew up in Eufaula and went to Eufaula High School. He was a great athlete, playing football and basketball. His grandfather was a leader of the Okfuskee town in Alabama. This town later moved to where Eufaula is today.

When Fred Beaver was young, he did not speak English. He learned English as he grew up. He also taught himself how to paint. After finishing high school in 1931, he went to Bacone College. He then attended Haskell Business College in 1935.

Fred Beaver did not study art much in college. He stopped painting for a while during the Great Depression. He also served in World War II. After the war, he started painting again. He learned a lot from his second cousin, Acee Blue Eagle, who was also a talented artist.

Artistic Journey

Fred Beaver soon became a well-known artist. He entered an art contest at the Philbrook Museum of Art in Tulsa, Oklahoma. He won an Honorable Mention award there. His art helped define the traditional style of Oklahoma Indian art. He was one of the first artists called "Master Artists" by the Five Civilized Tribes Museum.

His artwork is now in many museums and collections. You can see his pieces at the Heard Museum in Phoenix, Arizona. His art is also at the Sequoyah Research Center in Little Rock, Arkansas. The Philbrook Museum of Art in Tulsa also has his works.

Beaver won many awards at the Philbrook's yearly contests. He also worked for the Bureau of Indian Affairs for 25 years. He was able to make a living from his art full-time. He paid close attention to details in his paintings.

Some artists from the Creek and Seminole tribes questioned his work. They wondered how well it showed their cultures. But Fred Beaver's art was very accurate. He carefully painted things like chickees (traditional homes) and patchwork clothing. He was even interviewed for a special project about Southeastern Indian Oral History. This project was with the Seminole Tribe of Florida.

In 1976, Fred Beaver designed three special medallions. These were for the Franklin Mint's celebration of the United States Bicentennial. This event marked 200 years since the United States was founded.

Fred Beaver's Vision

Fred Beaver once shared why he painted:

• "I wanted to change how non-Indians saw my people."
• "I also wanted to help my own people understand themselves, especially the young."

His art helped many people learn about the rich history and culture of the Muscogee Creek and Seminole tribes.