About
Joshua Adams works predominantly in the medium of wood sculpture, but includes stone carvings, paintings, photography, molding, 3D printing, pottery and videography in his portfolio. His work has been shown in several shows throughout the world. He is a proud member of the Eastern Band of Cherokee, as well as an alumni of Western Carolina University. He is also a member of the esteemed Qualla Arts and Crafts Cooperative.
Most recently Joshua was included in the permanent collection at the Asheville Art Museum for the mask “False Faced God”. In 2018 Joshua was given the opportunity to participate and curate “Renewal of the Ancient” a Cherokee millennial artist showcase. The show was in cooperation with the Museum of the Cherokee Indian and the Cherokee Preservation Foundation. Also in 2018 a solo show was exhibited at Western Carolina University titled “Facing Culture”. The exhibition brought together a selection of masks and carvings of the human face by Adams, who expresses a deep reverence for his culture through his artwork.
Joshua also had the honor of being selected for the fifth annual Cherokee Days Festival at the Nation Museum of the American Indian. The Cherokee Days Festival consists of representatives from all three federally recognized Cherokee tribes (Cherokee Nation, United Keetoowah Band of Cherokee Indians and the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians). This event showcases the shared history and cultural lifeways of the three Cherokee tribes featuring an exhibition, storytelling, traditional flute music, weaponry, woodcarving, beadwork, traditional games, basket weaving, pottery demonstrations and dance performances.
In 2016 Joshua received a 1st place ribbon in the Sculpture division at the SWAIA Santa Fe Indian Market. Joshua also received two awards at the 2016 Cherokee Art Market, including the Culture Keeper Award and Best of Class in the Sculpture Division. Previously, he placed 1st at the 2015 SWAIA Indian Market in Diverse Arts and was also awarded two first place ribbons at the 2015 Cherokee Indian Fair for his entries in painting and traditional masks.
Joshua is part of a long lineage of Cherokee woodcarvers, starting with James “Red” and Irma Bradley. Joshua also studied under renowned Cherokee artist Dr. James Bud Smith and was directly influenced by legendary Cherokee artists Amanda Crowe and John Julius Wilnoty.