Vivian Howerton, a fine arts major at Northeastern State University, won First Place in Painting at the 23rd Annual Juried Art Competition on April 25, 2025.
The winning oil painting is a realistic rendering of the artist’s hands with traditional southeastern tribal markings, known as “inchunwa” in the Choctaw language. The painting measures 48×36 inches. Vivian’s 20×24-inch self-portrait, Lonely is the Muse. Also, an oil painting received an honorable mention in the show.
Vivian is the daughter of Erick and Bobbi Gillham of Poteau, Oklahoma, and Troy and Bree Howerton of Greenwood, Arkansas.
She will graduate on May 10 with a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree and is a member of the Choctaw Nation’s artist registry. After graduation, she plans to work as a studio artist while completing a one-year tattoo internship to further hone her skills.