Living History in Copper: A Monumental Entrance for Exhibit-C at OKANA

As we approach the grand opening of the OKANA Resort & Exhibit C Gallery’s new space, I feel an almost ineffable sense of culmination—and yet, paradoxically, it’s a beginning. This artwork, crafted from seventy-eight metal panels, each coated with copper and cold-patina by hand, embodies a tangible dialogue with the land and legacy. The project was both a tribute to our Chickasaw heritage and an exploration of Appalachian copper, which carries a distinct impurity content, often with traces of iron. This particular quality lends itself to a stunning, unpredictable spectrum of patinas.

Each panel, uniquely coaxed by time, technique, and the environment itself, speaks in a palette far beyond the standard turquoise or jade greens. We see deeper, earthier reds and browns, and flashes of teal, Tiffany blue, and nuanced greens. They remind me of the natural geological variations that tell of histories far older than our own. Working with these colors—letting them emerge slowly, intuitively, and letting them surprise me—felt like listening in on an ancient conversation.

For me, the design roots itself in mound culture, each panel serving as a piece of the larger visual language drawn from our ancestral lands and practices. There’s a kind of spirituality that only comes through the hard, sometimes gritty labor of hands-on metalwork. I can’t help but feel that as you move around the facade, seeing these surfaces shift in tone and intensity with the changing light, the piece will seem alive, evolving moment to moment.

OKANA’s opening offers us more than just a glimpse into Chickasaw art; it will be an immersive experience within a place that celebrates Indigenous art and culture in an unprecedented way. Exhibit C’s new home, alongside the First Americans Museum, signifies a significant step forward in presenting these narratives not just as heritage but as a thriving, evolving presence.