Steven Scissortail Morales

Steven Morales is an enrolled member of the Cherokee Nation of Oklahoma and descendant of the Oglala Lakota Tribe & Kaqchikels. He is a disabled U.S. Army Veteran, jewelry storyteller, and metalsmith. His artistic journey began as a coping mechanism to help address his PTSD. After learning basic metalsmithing from another disabled veteran, Morales began honing his skill and creating a unique style focused on telling the stories of Native people and introducing more Southeastern Native designs in silver jewelry. His practice today makes use of lapidary (engraving, cutting and shaping stone), shell carving, micro engraving and the hand firing of red clay beads to create one-of-a-kind designs. His work has been in shows throughout the United States and can be seen in a range of galleries and museums across the country and overseas.