![]() ![]() The canvas installed on its west wall depicts the Cherokee Nation during the colonial period and the painting installed on the north end of the building represents events related to the Cherokee’s forced removal to Oklahoma from the Southeastern United States. Ultimately, there were two murals installed at the Vinita Post Office. It was quickly determined that given the presence of the Cherokee Indians in northeast Oklahoma, their history would be an appropriate subject matter. ![]() Heeding Rowan’s advice, Davey met with Vinita postmaster Frank Bailey and local historian John Oskison to discuss potential subject matter for his work. In addition to his works on canvas, Davey received a number of mural commissions including those for the Section of Fine Arts and works that adorn the walls at the Will Rogers Memorial Shrine in Colorado Springs, Colorado. Upon his arrival, Davey fell in love with the Land of Enchantment and maintained a home in New Mexico until his death in 1964. Encouraged to visit New Mexico by Henri, Davey and his friend, the artist, John Sloan left New York City for an extended trip in 1919. Davey studied architecture at Cornell University from 1905-1907, but left to attend Robert Henri’s School of Painting and the Art Students League. Rowan, Assistant Chief for the Section of Fine Arts supported Davey while firmly reminding the artist to work closely with the Vinita postmaster to, “insure the friendly reception of the finished work.” Certainly, Davey’s reputation as an artist qualified him to take on this mural project, but the endeavor continued to be scrutinized until installation of the murals was completed in January 1941.īorn in East Orange, New Jersey in 1887, Randall Davey became an influential artist in the early 20th century. These criticisms led to strongly-voiced objections by town leaders and Oklahoma politicians regarding Davey’s commission at Vinita. At the time of the commission, Davey was a well-established, award-winning artist working in New Mexico, but his mural work at the Claremore, Oklahoma Post Office, that featured the town’s favorite son Will Rogers, had been a disappointment to the community. When Randall Davey was given the commission to create New Deal-era murals for the Vinita, Oklahoma Post Office, the selection of Davey was not without controversy. Used with the permission of the United States Postal Service®. History of the Cherokee Nation by Randall Davey ![]()
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