IAIA Trustee Brenda Kingery (Chickasaw) was recently named the 2017 Dynamic Woman of the Year by Chickasaw Nation Governor Bill Anoatubby. Known for her contemporary artwork, Kingery’s paintings tell stories about her life, travels, and Chickasaw heritage.

“This award honors a woman who has championed the rights and issues important to all women and who, through her lifestyle, exemplifies the character, strength, and values of the Chickasaw Nation and its people,” said Chickasaw Nation Governor Bill Anoatubby. “It is my honor to recognize Brenda Kingery.”

Kingery received her master’s degree in fine arts and art history from the University of Oklahoma, post-graduate studies in fine arts from Ryukyuus Daigaku University in Okinawa, Japan, graduate studies in Chinese language at Texas Tech University in Lubbock, and is writing a master thesis on folk art of Ryukyuus.

She returned to Oklahoma to teach painting and drawing, then later teaching art history for the San Antonio College. In 2007, she became an appointee to the board of trustees of the Institute of American Indian Arts (IAIA) by United States President George W. Bush.

She is a founding member of Threads of Blessings and travels to Honduras, Mexico, and Africa to teach textile and design workshops to help encourage women to use their Indigenous art skills.

For more information, read the entire article on the Chickasaw Nation website and watch a few videos on Chickasaw TV.