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Karen grew up in Texas and currently resides in Garland, TX. She learned about Cherokee culture and art through her mother, Martha Berry, who revived the tradition of Cherokee Beadwork. She fell in love with gourd art through her history of wood working and painting. This medium was a natural progression, combining these talents. She incorporates pre-European contact and modern Cherokee designs into her work.
She began fingerweaving in 2012 in the style typically done by Southeastern Woodland tribes during the 18th century. She, along with other weavers, has helped lead a revival of this traditional style within the Cherokee Nation. Additionally she has revived the practice of creating bandolier bags using this technique. |
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Awards
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Men’s Regalia Garters - Fingerwoven knee bands
Second Place Diverse Category, 2022 Trail of Tears Art Show The Forever War - Fingerwoven bag Best of Class Textiles, 2021 Cherokee Art Market Woodland Balance - Fingerwoven sash First Place Textiles, 2021 Cherokee Homecoming Art Show First Place Textiles, 2021 Virtual Southeastern Art Show and Market (SEASAM) Fingerwoven Cuff Bracelet Second Place Jewelry, 2021 Cherokee Holiday Art Show Men’s Regalia Sash - Fingerwoven sash Honorable Mention Diverse Category, 2021 Trail of Tears Art Show Dagasi On Parade - Fingerwoven sash Third Place Diverse Category, 2020 Trail of Tears Art Show Ebb and Flow - Fingerwoven bag and sash set Best of Class Textiles, 2019 Cherokee Art Market Judge’s Choice Textiles, 2020 Cherokee Homecoming Art Show Juror Award Textiles, 2020 Virtual Southeastern Art Show and Market (SEASAM) Fingerwoven Garters First Place Textiles, 2019 Cherokee Holiday Art Show Riverbank - Fingerwoven bag First Place Textiles, 2019 Cherokee Homecoming Art Show Long-Shot - Fingerwoven necklace with carved gourd pendant Second Place Jewelry, 2019 Trail of Tears Art Show Water Is Life - Fingerwoven bag First Place Textiles, 2018 Cherokee Homecoming Art Show Winter Forest - Fingerwoven sash First Place Textiles, 2018 Cherokee Holiday Art Show Three Worlds - Fingerwoven sash, belt, and garters set Judge's Choice, 2017 Cherokee Homecoming Art Show Third Place Traditional Textiles, 2017 Cherokee Art Market Jacobite Groom - Fingerwoven sash First Place Textiles, 2016 Cherokee Homecoming Art Show Third Place Contemporary Textiles, 2016 Cherokee Art Market #Traditions - Fingerwoven sash First Place Textiles and Weaving, 2016 Cherokee Holiday Art Show Light On the Water - Gourd carving Best of Division Contemporary Diverse Arts, 2015 Cherokee Art Market Woodland Snowfall - Fingerwoven bag Third Place Traditional Textiles, 2015 Cherokee Art Market The Diplomat - Fingerwoven sash Judge's Choice Textiles, 2015 Cherokee Homecoming Art Show The Guardian - Gourd carving Third Place Emerging Artist Category, 2015 Trail of Tears Art Show Red Garters - Fingerwoven knee bands Third Place Traditional Textiles, 2014 Cherokee Art Market Starlit River - Carved powder horn and fingerwoven strap First Place Traditional Arts, 2013 Cherokee Homecoming Art Show Fire Bringer - Gourd carving Honorable Mention Diverse Arts, 2011 Homecoming Art Show |
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Classes and Workshops
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Make & Take
Companion to Spirit Lodge: Mississippian Art from Spiro. Participants decorated gourd ornaments with moundbuilder motifs seen in the exhibit. June 2022, Dallas Museum of Art, Dallas, Texas Oblique Fingerweaving October 2019, Cherokee Heritage Center, Tahlequah, Oklahoma Oblique Fingerweaving April 2017, Cherokee Heritage Center, Tahlequah, Oklahoma Oblique Fingerweaving May 2016, Mahota Studios, Artesian Gallery & Studio, Chickasaw Nation, Sulphur, Oklahoma |
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Research Opportunities
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British Museum Fingerweaving Collection circa 1750 to present
June 2015, British Museum Archives, London, England Gilcrease Fingerweaving Collection circa 1750 to present October 2019, Gilcrease Museum, Tulsa, Oklahoma |
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Interviews, Lectures, and Publications
Online Lecture and Workshop for the United Kingdom's Being Human Festival
November 2021. Karen teamed up with her mother, Martha Berry, for a segment called, Beading Weaving and Reviving Lost Cherokee Arts and discussed beadwork and finger-weaving in the Native American collection of the University of Aberdeen, Scotland.
November 2021. Karen teamed up with her mother, Martha Berry, for a segment called, Beading Weaving and Reviving Lost Cherokee Arts and discussed beadwork and finger-weaving in the Native American collection of the University of Aberdeen, Scotland.
OSIYO TV Segment
YouTube Video of Segment
YouTube Video of Segment