Meet Cherokee Beadwork Artists

Jennifer Saenz

Oklahoma Cherokee Beadwork Artist Jennifer Saenz was born and resides in Oklahoma. She graduated from Oklahoma Baptist University. Her Native American name is Ahyoka (Joy).

She began learning beadwork in 2022 at Mid-America All Indian Museum.

Beginning in 2023 she began beading portrait beadwork of historical Native American persons when she began to collaborate with Design Artist Debbie Franklin Richard. In 2024 she began to learn designing portrait beadwork.

Both Jennifer and Debbie have a common passion to share the stories, faces and names of Native American ancestors through beaded portraits. Our ancestors are part of our past, but this is a way of them becoming part of our present and future.

Jennifer's beadwork, including pieces featuring Wilma Mankiller were purchased by the Cherokee Nation to be displayed in future buildings.

"Portrait beadwork is our medium for visual storytelling, which I call Beadtelling ™ - Jennifer Saenz

We want to honor our ancestors.

“When you evoke emotion, you can light a desire to learn and change” - Jennifer Saenz

Vicky Watson

Jennifer Saenz

Oklahoma Cherokee Beadwork Artist Vicky Watson was born and resides in Oklahoma. She graduated from University of Central Oklahoma. Her Native American name is Kamama (Butterfly).

Vicky’s Cherokee great-grandfather and father lived on allotment land in Yonkers Oklahoma part of Wagoner County within the Cherokee Nation. The allotment land remains in their family.

She began learning beadwork in 2022 at Mid-America All Indian Museum.

Beginning in 2023 she began beading portrait beadwork of historical Native American persons when her and Jennifer began to collaborate with Design Artist Debbie Franklin Richard.

Vicky loves creating intricate beadwork that captures the essence of the Cherokee and all Native American cultures, ensuring their traditions are passed down to future generations.

Vicky's beadwork, including pieces featuring Sequoyah were purchased by the Cherokee Nation to be displayed in future buildings.

Beadwork is intricately intertwined within Cherokee culture and identity. Vicky wants to continue this tradition.