As the winner of the the 2021 Eighth Generation People’s Choice Wool Blanket Design Contest, I am absolutely thrilled to share that the 2024 Wool Blanket Design Contest is HERE!
When I entered the 2021 Wool Blanket Design Contest, I had just lost my mom to COVID-19 and was at a crossroads. The loss of my mom to COVID-19 left me feeling as broken as a person could be. It was a period of profound grief and reflection, where the fragility of life became painfully evident.
Since the inception of the Eighth Generation Wool Blanket Design Contest, I wanted to enter, only to dismiss the idea with a “Someday” because I didn’t think I was good enough. So, I would just vote for the incredible and more established artists who entered every year.
But this time was different. The pandemic had taken so much, not just from me but from countless others whose lives were cut short or lost loved ones to COVID-19. It was a stark reminder that life doesn’t promise a “Someday.” The urgency of this realization was like a wake-up call, and I saw how much beauty and potential we miss out on when we allow self-doubt to hold us back.
Entering the contest was a desperate act of not wanting to live with regret or what-ifs. I had no expectations of winning; that wasn’t the point. My goal was to confront my insecurities and prove that I was brave, talented, and JUST enough, even if only in my own eyes. The process was my way of healing, a way to honor my mother’s memory by stepping into a space of vulnerability and being brave enough to TRY. It was a declaration of self-worth, a reminder that life is too short to wait for “Someday” because it may never come.
And then the darnedest thing happened.
I WON!
Winning the 2021 People’s Choice Wool Blanket Design Contest was an honor and opportunity to show my gratitude for my family and NDN Country. Creating the “Legacy” Wool Blanket was a personal and emotional journey. I wanted my design to reflect the legacies that we carry and forge as Indigenous peoples while also being able to honor the memories of my Mom, Anna Mae Morris, and my Uncle, Allen Dale Ahdokobo. You can read the whole story behind my design here.
Winning this contest and being an Eighth Generation artist is a blessing because you become a part of a family that is always there to encourage, support, and inspire you to step into your power and own it.
For Native artists, the 8th Generation Wool Blanket Design Contest is more than just a competition. It’s an opportunity to share your unique perspective and talent. Our art is a powerful expression of who we are and where we come from. It carries the stories, traditions, and resilience of our people. By participating, we honor our ancestors and pave the way for future generations to see themselves represented in the broader tapestry of contemporary art and being.
To all Native artists who feel like they’re not good enough, who are hesitating and scared: remember that your voice matters. Your art matters. Whether or not you win, creating and sharing your work is the victory because it reminds the world that we are STILL HERE. Don’t wait for “Someday.” It may never come.
Be brave and enter the 2024 Eighth Generation Wool Blanket Design contest.
To enter and learn more, visit https://eighthgeneration.com/pages/wool-blanket-design-contest-2024