Sharron Ahtone Harjo facts for kids

Marcelle Sharron Ahtone Harjo, born in 1945, is a talented artist from the Kiowa nation. She is known for her paintings. Her Kiowa name, Sain-Tah-Oodie, means "Killed With a Blunted Arrow." In the 1960s and 1970s, Sharron and her sister, Virginia Stroud, helped bring back a special art style called ledger art. This art uses paper or cloth to tell stories through pictures, much like old Plains Indian drawings.

About Sharron Ahtone Harjo

Sharron Ahtone Harjo's parents were Evelyn Tahome and Jacob Ahtone. Her father, Jacob Ahtone, was important in the Kiowa nation. He served as the Kiowa Tribal chairman from 1978 to 1980. Sharron's grandfather, Samuel Ahtone, was also an artist. He created ledger art, just like Sharron does.

Her great-grandmother, Millie Durgan, had an interesting story. She was taken in by the Kiowas when she was a young girl. Millie became a part of the Kiowa community. She was known for making beautiful cradleboards, which are special carriers for babies.

Education and Achievements

Sharron Ahtone Harjo finished high school in 1963 in Billings, Montana. She then went to Bacone College in Muskogee, Oklahoma. There, she studied art with a famous Southern Cheyenne artist named Dick West. She earned her AA degree from Bacone in 1965. Later, she received her BA degree from Northeastern State University in Tahlequah, Oklahoma.

In 1965, Sharron Ahtone Harjo was chosen as Miss Indian America. This was a big honor that recognized her as a role model for Native American youth.

Sharron Ahtone Harjo's Art Career

Sharron Ahtone Harjo uses many different types of paint in her art. She works with acrylic, oil, gouache, and watercolor. When she first started painting, her art was inspired by ancient rock art and Plains hide painting. These are very old ways of creating art on rocks or animal hides.

Later, she began to focus on the ledger art style. In the 1970s, Sharron started showing her artwork to the public. At that time, it was sometimes hard for women artists to get their work recognized. So, she often used the name Ahtone Harjo for her exhibitions. She also shared her knowledge by teaching art in schools.

Important Artworks

One of Sharron Ahtone Harjo's most important paintings is called Kiowa Sun Dance. She spent several years creating this artwork. To make it, she used old calendars, ledger drawings, and talked to people in her community. This helped her make sure the painting was historically accurate.

The Kiowa Sun Dance painting is very special. It is one of the few historical records of the annual Sun Dance ceremony. This was a big event where the entire Kiowa tribe would participate. The dance has not been performed since 1887. Her painting helps keep the memory of this important tradition alive.

Personal Life

Sharron Ahtone Harjo mainly lives in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. She also spends time in Santa Fe, New Mexico. She is from the Zoltone District 2 of the Kiowa tribal nation. Her sister, Deborah Ahtone, is also a visual artist and writer. Sharron is married to Amos Harjo, who is from the Seminole and Muscogee tribes. Their daughter, Tahnee Ahtoneharjo-Growingthunder, is also an artist. She creates beautiful beadwork and textile art.

Where to See Her Art

You can find Sharron Ahtone Harjo's artwork in several public collections. This means her art is displayed in museums and institutions for everyone to see.

Artworks by Sharron Ahtone Harjo

• Return Them Safely to Home (1971)
• Woman on Red (1976)
• Kiowa Sun Dance (1981)
• One Daughter of the Earth (1985)
• Looking for Kiowas (1985)
• Last Will and Testament (2005)

Books Featuring Her Work

Sharron Ahtone Harjo has also contributed to books about Native American art.

• Hail, Barbara, Everett R. Rhoades, and Sharron Ahtone-Harjo. Gifts of Pride and Love: Kiowa and Comanche Cradles. Norman: University of Oklahoma Press, 2001. ISBN: 978-080613604-2.
• Pearce, Richard, Sharron Ahtone-Harjo. Women and Ledger Art: Four Contemporary Native American Artists. University of Arizona Press, Jun 13, 2013 ISBN: 0816521042