Honorable Mention - Open
Susan Miskovsky and Gaynelle Anderson, Stigler

Celebrate Eufaula

Eufaula is a small friendly city located thirteen miles south of Interstate 40 in Mcintosh County. It is in southeastern Oklahoma and has a population of 8000. Because of the dam and reservoir built in 1964, Lake Eufaula has 600 miles of shoreline and plenty of water for recreation. Eufaula sets almost to the exact point of Indian Territory's geographical center. It was the meeting place for early Indian conferences. They loved the rolling hills and prairies and the access of the Canadian River. Many pow-wows have been held here. The first residents came around 1850 and many soon followed. Eufaula: Where We Live, Learn, Work, Pray and Play.

Using watercolor paper, a wash of warm colors for daytime hours and cool colors for nighttime hours was applied and provided the background we wanted. The blue wavy border surrounding the town represents Lake Eufaula and each item in the border has a special meaning for the town. A collection of magazine pictures, calendar pictures, garage sale jewelry, photos, photocopies, newspapers and embellishments make up the design. Some items have been hand painted with artistic application of colored pencils. For example, the leaves on the tree, the hand punched mission statement and the drawing of the sun. The border is hand cut watercolor paper colored with blue and violet crayons.

Why pigs? For 19 years Eufaula has hosted Whole Hawg Day during the last weekend in July. Whole Hawg Day is a citywide celebration that begins with a parade and a Hawg Run. Attractions are the Car Show, Arts and Crafts tents, visual artists, the rodeo, musicians, lake activities and food galore! One of the more popular events is the Hawg Cook Off. Pigs are smoked, sampled, and judged by people in the community. Competition is stiff, but the end result is worth the effort. Sandwiches are made and given to anyone who is waiting at the hawg stations. Tourists and residents are attracted to this event. In recognition of the twentieth celebration, we honor our city through pigs.

Trying to capture the personality of the town while combining past history with the present was a challenge. As we worked we tried to think of one word to describe the emotion of the town. After studying the collage it dawned on us. The word was CELEBRATE. Eufaula celebrates life!

Each pig tells its own story of the town. For instance, the flowered pig is entering the gates of inspiration Garden. Flowers and vegetables are grown in the community garden, and the harvest serves the people. Giving back to the community is important to Eufaula. The garden is sponsored by the Mcintosh County Coalition and is located on Main Street.

The tree in the middle of the collage is presented as a family tree. The mayor is at the top and each council members name is on a leaf. Each one rules over two sections of the city. The City Council works as a family to guide our city and create pride with progress.

The Fourth of July Fireworks Exhibition is awesome! Watching by boat or beach or shore is a spectacular site! Thousands come from all across the state to see the show. An added delight is looking at the boats gathered together on the lake waiting for the fireworks to begin. It is breath taking.

The embellishment on the fireworks and on the sun reminds us of the way the Native Americans decorated their art works. This area was so much fun! We felt the sparkle and the color added dimension.

Established in 1876, the Indian Journal is the oldest weekly newspaper in the state. Built in 1896, the First United Methodist Church is the oldest continuing Methodist church in Oklahoma. These are two of many history stories about our town on Main Street.

Eufaula is a town rich in history. As we worked, we discovered more and more history. We had to make ourselves stop cutting and gluing in order to finish on time. It was a wonderful experience.

You are invited to Whole Hawg Day to celebrate with us. Will you please come? And bring a few collages to exhibit.