A historic moment for the Muscogee Nation and for Indigenous art in Oklahoma will be marked on Saturday, Dec. 13, as the Mvskoke Waters Gallery opens its doors at Riverwalk Crossing in Jenks. The gallery becomes the first and only tribally owned and operated art gallery in the greater Tulsa metropolitan area – an achievement decades in the making and one that places Muscogee artists and culture firmly at the forefront of the region’s creative landscape.
The grand opening, scheduled from 12 to 5 p.m. at 500 Riverwalk Terrace, Suite 115, will unveil the gallery’s inaugural exhibition, Mvskokvlke: Road of Strength, an expansive showcase honoring the endurance, creativity and sovereignty of Muscogee people across generations.
— A Path Shaped by Resilience
Mvskokvlke: Road of Strength serves as both a tribute and a declaration – recognizing the powerful journey of the Muscogee people, shaped by history, challenged through forced removal and assimilation policies and strengthened by the unbreakable connection to land, language, community and art.
The exhibition reflects the enduring spirit of Muscogee citizens who continue to move forward with resilience, carrying traditions, sovereignty and identity into the future. Through paintings, sculpture, textiles, photography and mixed media, each artist shares a story rooted in legacy and grounded in the lived experiences of Mvskokvlke.
The gallery emphasizes that sovereignty is expressed not only through government and law, but also through cultural practice – every song, every carving, every brushstroke reaffirming a presence that no policy or attempt at erasure could extinguish.
— A Historic Platform for Muscogee Artists The grand opening also celebrates the work of more than 20 Muscogee artists whose contributions form the foundation of the first exhibition. Their diverse styles and perspectives weave together a powerful narrative of heritage, survival, innovation and identity.
Artists whose work will be featured include George Alexander, Dan Beaver, Leslie Deer, Johnnie Diacon, Phyllis Fife, Jimmie Carole Fife Stewart, Starr Hardridge, Joy Harjo, Sterlin Harjo, Kristi Holland, Kenneth Johnson, Robin Jenkins, Randy Kemp, Bobby C. Martin, Scott Roberts, Jon Tiger, Dana Tiger, Sandy Fife Wilson, Gary Colbert, Harry Beaver and Dianna Beaver, with a special tribute to Mary Smith.
Co-curated by Bobby C. Martin and Carly Treece, the exhibition represents a deeply personal and deeply communal effort to give voice to Muscogee creativity. Martin, a Muscogee artist himself, describes the project as an honor and a labor of love – one that reflects the Nation’s longstanding legacy of gifted makers and storytellers.
— A Gathering of Culture, Community & Celebration Visitors attending the grand opening will experience an afternoon of art and cultural reflection during a moment widely recognized as historic for the Muscogee Nation. The gallery invites community members, citizens and supporters to take part in what promises to be a powerful celebration of connection, resilience, and purpose.
The Muscogee Nation expresses its gratitude to all who continue to keep Muscogee stories alive through art, acknowledging that each generation strengthens the next.
For questions regarding the exhibition or gallery operations, community members may contact MvskokeWaters@ gmail.com. As the doors open for the first time, the Mvskoke Waters Gallery stands not only as a space for artistic expression but as a lasting symbol of sovereignty, presence and cultural strength – affirming to all who enter: Mvskoke people are still here, sovereign and strong.
