Judy Coser

Last updated
Judy Coser
Born
Judy Deer

1955
Nationality Kickapoo Tribe of Oklahoma
Education University of Oklahoma, Northeastern State University, University of New Mexico
Known forNative beadwork, bandolier bags, and other cultural regalia
Spouse(s)George Coser

Judy Coser is a Kickapoo and Sac & Fox Native American artist from the U.S. state of Oklahoma. Known for her intricate beadwork, dance regalia, and cultural items, Coser's work is in the collection of the Gilcrease museum in Tulsa, Oklahoma.

Contents

Early life

Born in 1955 in Lawton, Oklahoma, Judy Deer Coser first became interested in beadwork after seeing her great-grandmother’s regalia, that is, culturally-informed clothing and accessories. Coser's father worked as a leather craftsman, and seeing him work with his hands throughout her childhood inspired Coser to follow in his path. Coser was raised in Shawnee, Oklahoma, and took her first beading class at a church summer camp in Wyandotte, Oklahoma. [1]

Education

Coser attended a semester at St. Gregory’s University and Oklahoma City University, but eventually graduated from the University of Oklahoma with a degree in political science. While Coser attended the University of Oklahoma, she partially funded her education through beadwork and sewing. Coser later started a master’s program at Northeastern State University and then went to the University of New Mexico. In 1989, Coser married George Coser. [1]

Style and Notable Works

Coser specializes her beadwork in cultural clothing and items, such as pouches and bandolier bags and beaded collars.[ citation needed ]

Coser first entered her beadwork in competitive juried art shows in 1994. One of the first shows she competed in was the Red Earth Festival. She entered some beaded flaps for a pair of Kickapoo moccasins and was awarded second place. The following year in 1995 she entered the same show and got first place. [2] One of Coser’s most notable works is an otterskin bag that is currently owned by the Philbrook Museum in Tulsa, OK.

Coser and her husband were also very involved with powwows because of their love of dance. They traveled to Wisconsin several times to visit with fellow Great Lakes people.

Awards and Achievements

One of Coser’s greatest accomplishments has been finishing a Great Lakes bandolier bag in honor of her maternal great-uncle, who was Sac and Fox. Along with her beadwork and classes in moccasin-making, Coser is regularly asked to share her cultural knowledge with the Native American Student Association in the Glenpool school district. Her work has been purchased by the Philbrook and Gilcrease museums in Tulsa as well as the Creek Council House Museum. Coser’s work has been featured in Oklahoma Today and the Tulsa World. In 2011, her artwork was also featured in the film The Cherokee Word for Water. [1] Earlier in 2004, both Judy and her husband George were Tulsa Sister City representatives to Celle, Germany, where they demonstrated powwow dancing. [3]

In 2012, George and Judy were named Native American Elders of the Year by the Oklahoma AARP. [4]

Related Research Articles

Beadwork Decoration technique

Beadwork is the art or craft of attaching beads to one another by stringing them with a sewing needle or beading needle and thread or thin wire, or sewing them to cloth. Beads come in a variety of materials, shapes and sizes. Beads are used to create jewelry or other articles of personal adornment; they are also used in wall hangings and sculpture and many other artworks.

Fancy dance

Fancy dance, Pan-Indian dancing, Fancy Feather or Fancy War Dance is a style of dance some believe was originally created by members of the Ponca tribe in the 1920s and 1930s, in an attempt to preserve their culture and religion. It is loosely based on the War dance. Fancy dance was considered appropriate to be performed for visitors to reservations and at "Wild West" shows. But today, fancy dancers can be seen at many powwows across the nation and even the world.

Gilcrease Museum Art Museum in Tulsa, Oklahoma

Gilcrease Museum, also known as the Thomas Gilcrease Institute of American History and Art, is a museum northwest of downtown Tulsa, Oklahoma housing the world's largest, most comprehensive collection of art of the American West, as well as a growing collection of art and artifacts from Central and South America. The museum is named for Thomas Gilcrease, an oil man and avid art collector, who began the collection. He deeded the collection, as well as the building and property, to the City of Tulsa in 1958. Since July 1, 2008, Gilcrease Museum has been managed by a public-private partnership of the City of Tulsa and the University of Tulsa. The Helmerich Center for American Research at Gilcrease Museum was added in 2014 at a cost of $14 million to provide a secure archival area where researchers can access any of the more than 100,000 books, documents, maps and unpublished materials that have been acquired by the museum.

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References

  1. 1 2 3 Pearson-Little Thunder, Julie (November 8, 2012). "Oral history interview with Judy Coser". Oklahoma Native Artists. Retrieved 23 July 2020.
  2. "Red Earth Art Winners Announced". The Oklahoman. online digital archives. Retrieved 30 April 2015.
  3. "Sac and Fox Tribal Members Recipients" (PDF). sacandfoxnation-nsn.gov. Sac and Fox News. Retrieved 30 April 2015.
  4. "Oklahoma Celebrates Elders at 4th Annual Indian Elder Honors". aarp.org. AARP. Retrieved 29 April 2015.