Virginia Stroud facts for kids

Virginia Alice Stroud (born March 13, 1951 – died November 8, 2024) was a talented artist. She was a painter from Oklahoma. Virginia was part of the Cherokee and Muscogee Creek tribes. She was officially a citizen of the United Keetoowah Band of Cherokee Indians.

Virginia Stroud's Early Life and Art Journey

Virginia Stroud was born in Madera, California, on March 13, 1951. When she was eleven, her mother passed away. Virginia then moved to Muskogee, Oklahoma, to live with her sister. She sold her very first painting when she was just 13 years old.

Virginia finished Muskogee High School in 1968. From 1968 to 1970, she studied art at Bacone College. There, she learned from Cheyenne painter Dick West. He was so impressed that he made her his studio assistant. Later, she also attended the University of Oklahoma.

In her late 20s, Virginia was adopted by Evelyn Tahome and Jacob Ahtone. They were a Kiowa couple. This adoption followed a special Kiowa tradition.

Pageants and the Creation of the Tear Dress

In 1969, Virginia Stroud was chosen as Miss Cherokee Tribal Princess. The next year, in 1970, she won the title of Miss National Congress of American Indians. In 1971, she became Miss Indian America XVII.

When Virginia competed for princess in 1969, Cherokee women wanted her to wear a "traditional" outfit. This was a challenge because Cherokee women had worn modern clothes for a long time. Before that, they wore very little clothing.

A group of Cherokee women, chosen by Chief W. W. Keeler, worked together. They designed a new dress based on an old Cherokee dress. This old dress belonged to a lady named Wynona Day. They also looked at formal clothes from other tribes in the Southeast. This is how they created the "Tear Dress." Elizabeth Higgins, a Cherokee Nation citizen, sewed the first Tear Dress for Virginia.

Virginia Stroud's Artistic Career

Virginia Stroud painted with special paints called tempera and gouache. She was also skilled at making fine art prints. She wrote and illustrated several children's books too.

Her art was inspired by old pictographs (pictures drawn on rocks) and historical ledger art. Over time, Virginia developed her own unique style. Her paintings often told stories. The people in her art had simple faces, but the backgrounds were full of beautiful flowers. She also painted on wooden sculptures and fancy furniture.

Virginia's artwork can be seen in many public places. These include the Gilcrease Museum, Millicent Rogers Museum, and Philbrook Museum of Art. Her art is also at the Fred Jones Jr. Museum of Art, Cherokee Heritage Center, and Cherokee Nation Entertainment.

Virginia once said about her work, "I paint for my people. Art is a way for our culture to survive... perhaps the only way."

Honors and Awards for Virginia Stroud

Virginia Stroud received many awards for her art. In 1970, she was the youngest Native artist to win first place. This was in the Woodlands division of the Philbrook Museum's yearly art show.

In 1982, the Indian Arts and Crafts Association named Virginia their Artist of the Year. The Five Civilized Tribes Museum recognized her as a Master Artist in 1986. In 2000, she was given the Cherokee Medal of Honor.

Published Works

• Doesn't Fall off His Horse: A Cherokee Tale. Dial, 1994. ISBN: 978-0-8037-1635-3.
• A Walk to the Great Mystery: A Cherokee Tale. Dial, 1995. ISBN: 978-0-8037-1636-0.
• The Path of the Quiet Elk: A Native American Alphabet Book. Dial, 1996. ISBN: 978-0-8037-1718-3.

See also

• Sharron Ahtone Harjo