TULSA – For Mvskoke artist SeAnna Gray, beadwork is more than an art form – it’s a way to both honor her ancestors and inspire the next generation.
The 23-year-old’s design caught the attention of judges and visitors alike, earning her the Most Creative award in Gathering Place’s Route 66-themed shoe art competition.
Gray’s winning design, “Ue-Pofkv Holatte” (Blue Whale), blended one of Oklahoma’s most recognizable Route 66 landmarks, the Blue Whale of Catoosa, with Muscogee symbolism, creating a piece that celebrates local history and Indigenous identity.
“I knew I wanted to incorporate Native culture,” Gray said. “I wanted to represent the people that were here even before Route 66.”
Gray’s shoe was one of the featured pieces in Gathering Place’s shoe art competition, part of the park’s TULSA: Heart of the Mother Road exhibition, celebrating the 100th anniversary of Route 66. The exhibition highlighted the work of local artists and encouraged visitors to engage with the artwork and Oklahoma’s Route 66 history.
Laura Clark (Mvskoke), Curator of Public Art at Gathering Place, said Gray’s mixed-media design stood apart from many of the painted entries because of its craftsmanship and thoughtful use of Indigenous artistry.
“SeAnna’s beadwork transcended both beauty and skill, employing the Route 66 historical context with a robust Indigenous Oklahoma vibe,” Clark said.
Inspired by the Blue Whale of Catoosa, Gray incorporated a beaded Route 66 shield, elements inspired by the original Oklahoma Route 66 sign, and traditional Mvskoke design throughout the shoe. She also chose the colors of fire – maroon, red, orange, and yellow – to symbolize the strength and perseverance of the Mvskoke people.
“I want to represent the youth.” – SeAnna Grey
“Fire represents strength from our ancestors keeping that fire alive through genocides, removals, and all the bad things people wanted to conquer over us,” she said. “We still keep those fires alive today.”
Although the competition provided a new platform for her work, Gray’s journey as an artist began years earlier. She started beading at 17 after spending much of her childhood admiring jewelry her father collected while traveling across the country. Each piece came with a story, introducing her to different Indigenous art styles and sparking a curiosity that eventually led her to pick up a needle and thread herself.
What began with earrings, bracelets, and lanyards eventually expanded to hand-beaded shoes, now one of her signature creations. Through her business, Indigenous Divinity, Gray has shipped her artwork across the United States and internationally.
For Gray, though, success in her career isn’t measured by sales or recognition.
She hopes Native children visiting Gathering Place will see her work and recognize themselves in it.
“I want to represent the youth,” she said. “If a little Native kid sees the artwork, maybe it’ll inspire them to pick a needle and thread or ask their family members about beadwork and culture.”
Clark said visitors frequently paused in front of Gray’s display, pointing out the intricate beadwork and leaning in for a closer look. The piece also generated strong engagement on social media.
Gray believes opportunities like the competition help remind people that Native communities continue to thrive.
“There’s a lot of people who aren’t educated that Natives are still here,” she said. “It’s good representation not just for myself as an artist, but for the Tribe and other Native artists.”
As she continues to grow her business, Gray plans to expand beyond creating beadwork by teaching classes for children and adults. She hopes to pass along the knowledge she once learned from family and fellow artists.
“Artwork helps tell a story,” she said. “It honors our elders, our ancestors, our ways of life and our traditions.”
Whether through “Ue-Pofkv Holatte” or a classroom filled with future artists, Gray hopes that the story continues for generations to come.
To view Gray’s art, visit IndigenousDivinity
