Andrea Mina Savar is an award-winning artist in the mediums of painting/illustration, jewelry, beadwork, fiction writing and textile art. Inspired by the natural world; leaves, flowers and creatures of all kinds tend to wiggle their way into her artwork. As a citizen of The Cherokee Nation she has devoted much of her 2D artwork to creating a contemporary interpretation of Cherokee stories, daily life and a continued visual representation of indigenous community. In addition to working as an artist, her life work also includes sharing space and promoting other established and emerging artists in the PNW in her gallery, The Curious Nest. She is a certified TERO artist with The Cherokee Nation, an active member of the Southeastern Indian Artists Association (SEIIA) and an artist with the Yəhaw̓ Indigenous Creatives Collective roster in Seattle, Wa.
Cherokee Homecoming 2025 – Merit Award in Textiles – Unali Vest
Cherokee Homecoming 2025 – Merit Award in Textiles – Unali Skirt
54th Annual Trail of Tears Art Show 2025 – 2nd Place Diverse – Anidawi Lost and Found
53rd Annual Trail of Tears Art Show 2024 – 3rd Place Emerging Artist – Anidawi Bandolier Bag
Cherokee National Holiday Art Show 2023 – Merit Award Painting – Tell Me a Story
Medium: Beadwork, Painting, Textiles
Art has been my place of connection, retreat and balance since childhood. I am never more at home than when I am creating a new piece of art whether alone or with community. While painting is a more solitary art, traditional and family stories often come to the forefront of my mind while images take form primarily in watercolor. Textile art was introduced to me by my aunt who shared her sewing machine with me and got me started creating ribbon skirts. Eventually I began incorporating my paintings into textiles and wove syllabary, animals and designs that represent Cherokee culture. I love adding little bits of humor or hidden things in all my artwork that hopefully give people a little chuckle.
