About Willard Stone

Willard Stone

Born: February 29, 1916, Oktaha, OK
Died: March 5, 1985, Locust Grove, OK

Willard Stone, a sculptor of Cherokee descent, was born on February 29, 1916, in Oktaha, Oklahoma. He was influenced by Oklahoma historian Grant Foreman, who encouraged him to pursue art classes at Bacone College. Stone attended Bacone College from 1936 to 1939, studying under Acee Blue Eagle and Woodrow Crumbo.

After leaving school, Stone worked various jobs to support himself. From 1948 to 1951, he worked for Thomas Gilcrease, an oilman and art collector, producing a unique series of wood sculptures. Stone also worked as an ornamental pattern maker and die finisher in Tulsa.

In 1961, Stone established a permanent studio near Locust Grove and dedicated himself entirely to art. He gained recognition for his stylized human and animal figures, created from locally obtainable woods and occasionally cast in ceramic or bronze. Stone’s work was exhibited regionally and nationally, and he received many commissions, including pieces for the National Hall of Fame for Famous American Indians, the Oklahoma Historical Society, and the National Cowboy Hall of Fame and Western Heritage Center.

Stone’s artwork was also featured in Cherokee Spirit Tales, a book published in 1969. That year, he received the Outstanding Indian