New Basketry Exhibit to Kick-off Choctaw Cultural Center Anniversary

DURANT, Okla. – A new exhibit and a day of festivities for the whole family will commemorate the Choctaw Cultural Center’s second anniversary on Saturday, July 22.

The exhibit Bok Abaiya: Practiced Hands and the Arts of Choctaw Basketry will be revealed, and guided tours, Choctaw cultural activities, traditional Choctaw food and more will be offered throughout the day.

Second Anniversary Schedule at the Choctaw Cultural Center

• 10 a.m. in the foyer, cultural center officials will welcome visitors and offer highlights of the center’s first two years. Then, Curator Claire Green Young will introduce the new exhibit, Bok Abaiya.
• 10:30 a.m. and 2 p.m., guided tours of Bok Abaiya will begin at the front desk. The exhibit is the work of generations of Choctaw basket weavers alongside contemporary Choctaw art. Featured will be over 50 rivercane and commercial reed Choctaw baskets and 14 contemporary artworks.
• 11 a.m. Stickball will be demonstrated outside on the center grounds, weather permitting.
• Hosted tours of the center will be offered starting at 11:30 a.m. and 3 p.m., beginning at the front desk.
• 1:30 p.m. Choctaw Social Dancing will be performed.
• 1:30 p.m. and at 2:30 p.m., Chocolate-making classes will be held. Both have reached class-size limitation and are no longer taking enrollments.
• Traditional Choctaw food will be available in the Champuli Café and the Hvshi Gift Store will be open during the celebration.

Usual admission prices will apply to the center with complimentary access for tribal members and those with museum membership. The Choctaw Cultural Center is located at 1919 Hina Hanta Way, Durant. Information about the Choctaw Cultural Center and the exhibit is at https://bit.ly/ccc-exhibitions.