JULY 2, 1911

MUSCOGEE (CREEK)/SEMINOLE PAINTER EKALANEE (FRED BEAVER) BORN

Beaver was born in Eufaula, Oklahoma (OK). His Muscogee name meant “Brown Head.” At Eufaula High School, he was All-State in football & basketball. In 1931, Beaver went on to Bacone College before attending Haskell Business College. After serving in the U.S. Army Air Corps in World War II, he studied art under cousin, Acee Blue Eagle. He gained notoriety for his paintings of Muskogee and Seminole life and helped define traditional OK Indian art. Fred was one of the first artists to be designated as “Master Artists” at the Five Civilized Tribes Museum. His works are found in Gilcrease, Philbrook, Heard, Denver Art, and Eiteljorg Museums, the National Museum of the American Indian, and Sequoyah Research Center. In 1960, Beaver retired from the Bureau of Indian Affairs after 25 years of service to focus on his art. Awards/Honors: Phillips Outstanding (OS) Indian Artist Trophy (1963); OS Indian of the Year (1979), OS Oklahoman of the Year (1976), and Master Artist (1973). Beaver died August 18, 1980.

Sources:

“Fred Beaver Painting,” Adobe Gallery, Santa Fe.  Retrieved 4/6/2023, Fred Beaver Painting - Adobe Gallery, Santa Fe

Oklahoma State Art Collection.  Retrieved 4/6/2023, Oklahoma State Art Collection

Wikipedia

Photo:  William A. McGalliard, date unknown. Pictures taken of Fred Beaver, Creek artist, at his home at 437 Locust, in Ardmore. Fair Use.  Source: The Gateway to Oklahoma History, https://gateway.okhistory.org; crediting Ardmore Public Library. Accession or Local Control No: P00000962. Archival Resource Key: ark:/67531/metadc1631364