John W Grant

John W Grant is a contemporary sculptor (with stone and papercast) and a jeweler. He creates innocative images through past and present events as told to him by peoples with whom he has come into contact. John's works evoke a rich history of native cultures. His works are a testimony to the traditional Native American courage and commitment and their reliance on one another; all of which are essential elements of their survival and, indeed, of human survival. Before becoming a full time artist, John has taken a number of prizes in different jewelered shows including: * 1st Place: Air Tactical Command USAF, * 1st Place Mmather Air Force base * Best of Show; U.S.A.F * 1st Place: Cherokee Fall Festival 2002 * 2nd Place: Cherokee Fall Festival 2003 * 3rd Place: Cherokee Fall Festival 2004 * 2nd Place: Cherokee Fall Festival 2005   He also has a permanent collection at the Institute of American Indian arts in Santa Fe, New Mexico. John grew up on the Qualla Boundary Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians in Cherokee, NC. He drew inspiration from his mother's teaching and a myriad of artists during his travels throughout the United States.  In the Fall of 2002, he attended the Institute of American Indian Arts in Santa Fe, NM to expand his knowledge and skills of sculping. John has observed and collected artifacts that testify to the great resolve of native americans in surviving the extreme conditions imposed upon them from the 1850's to the Depression of the 1930's. He has managed to do through his active work as an enforcement officers for the Bureau of the Indian Affairs, his active participation in the Native American  way of life, and as an established artisan. During his participation in the BIA, he was fortunate enough to be in personal contact with most of the tribes in the  Appalachians, the Southwest, the Great Plains and the Pacific Northwest. With his vast knowledge of, and great experiences with these communities and their ways of life, John has been able to portray the lives and experiences of native Americans through his unique collection. John has studied International Native Artists including Archie lid NoiscCat. Robert Dale Tosise, and Gordon Vigil. John  resides in Cherokee, NC.