Eva McAdams

Eva McAdams
Born
Eva B. St. Clair Washakie

June 18, 1927
Fort Washakie, Wyoming
DiedJanuary 29, 2010
Fort Washakie, Wyoming
CitizenshipEastern Shoshone
Occupation(s)Needleworker and beading artist
Known forShoshone regalia maker
Spouse(s)Alfred "Dutch" McAdams, married 1945
Children8
Parent(s)Lynn and Eloise Sonnicant St. Clair
FamilyWashakie
AwardsNational Heritage Fellowship

Eva B. St. Clair Washakie McAdams (June 18, 1927 – January 29, 2010) was a Shoshone regalia maker and beadwork artist. Born on Wyoming's Wind River Reservation, McAdams was named a Fellow by the National Endowment for the Arts in 1996.

Biography

Early life

Eva B. St. Clair Washakie was born in Fort Washakie, on the Wind River Reservation in Wyoming on June 18, 1927.[1] She was the second oldest of eight children, and a great-granddaughter of Chief Washakie, a Shoshone leader.[2][3] As a child, she learned the tradition of Shoshone needlework and beading on buckskin from her mother, grandmother Mary Washakie and aunt.[1] Buckskin sewing was historically regarded as a survival skill amongst the Shoshone, and today has grown into a ceremonial role.[4][5][6]

Beading and needlework

In 1945, Eva married her husband Alfred "Dutch" McAdams.[3] The couple operated a ranch in Wind River, and Eva practiced her needlework in her free time. To support her family, McAdams worked several jobs, such as operating a native crafts store and for the Bureau of Indian Affairs while raising eight children.[2] McAdam's reputation began to grow for her traditional designs on buckskin, used for Shoshone ceremony.[7] McAdams became particularly known for her Shoshone Rose and floral motifs, which she claimed were inspired by advertisements.[3][8]

McAdams said, "Sacajawea and the Shoshones considered the rose the world's most beautiful flower. That's why they selected it for beading. It represents goodness and love".[9]

Recognition and legacy

In 1990, she received the Wyoming Governor's Art Award, and was the first Native artist to be honored with the award.[3] In 1996, she was awarded a National Heritage Fellowship by the National Endowment for the Arts.[2][10] McAdams taught her traditional needlework to her children and grandchildren.

McAdams died in Fort Washakie on January 29, 2010.[1] Today, her granddaughter Joanne Brings Thunder continues her grandmother's needlework and beading traditions.[11][12]

References

  1. ^ a b c "Eva McAdams". Indigenous America Calendar. 2022-12-11. Retrieved 2025-03-13.
  2. ^ a b c "Eva McAdams". www.arts.gov. Retrieved 2025-03-13.
  3. ^ a b c d Congdon, Kristin G.; Hallmark, Kara Kelley (2012-03-19). American Folk Art: A Regional Reference [2 volumes]. Bloomsbury Publishing USA. pp. 615–617. ISBN 978-0-313-34937-9.
  4. ^ Govenar, Alan B. (2001). Masters of Traditional Arts: A Biographical Dictionary. ABC-CLIO. pp. 404–405. ISBN 978-1-57607-240-0.
  5. ^ Dubin, Lois Sherr (May 1999). North American Indian Jewelry and Adornment: From Prehistory to the Present. Harry N. Abrams. ISBN 978-0-8109-3689-8.
  6. ^ Smith, Monte (1983). The Technique of North American Indian Beadwork. Eagle's View Publishing Company. ISBN 978-0-943604-01-5.
  7. ^ "Eva McAdams – Masters of Traditional Arts". www.mastersoftraditionalarts.org. Retrieved 2025-03-13.
  8. ^ Penney, David W. (1996). Native American Art Masterpieces. Hugh Lauter Levin Associates, Incorporated. p. 50. ISBN 978-0-88363-496-7.
  9. ^ Haney, Rich (2000-04-04). Sacajawea: Her True Story. Xlibris Corporation. p. 51. ISBN 978-1-4691-1264-0.
  10. ^ Indian Artist. Nightingale Hice, Incorporated. 1997. p. 16.
  11. ^ "Artist Spotlight: Telling our Women's Stories". CARAVAN. 2023-12-30. Retrieved 2025-03-13.
  12. ^ "Schedule of Events for July 10 Capitol Square Open House and Celebration". Wyoming Capitol Square Project. 2019-07-01. Retrieved 2025-03-13.
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