Amanda Crowe

Amanda Crowe (1928–2004) was an enrolled member of the Eastern Band of Cherokee and a pioneering woodcarver and educator. She taught woodcarving and sculpture at Cherokee High School for over four decades, mentoring renowned carvers like Virgil Ledford and Lloyd Carl Owle. Her work emphasized anthropomorphic animal carvings, particularly bears, and blended traditional Cherokee heritage with modern sculptural techniques.

• Education: Art Institute of Chicago (BFA and MFA).
• Awards: North Carolina Folk Heritage Award (2000), Honorary Doctorate from UNC Greensboro (1980).

Her research focused on wood's natural grain and form, advocating for adaptive creativity in carving. She extended her teaching through mail-order carving kits and articles like Whittle Awhile in American Girl magazine, democratizing craft education. Beyond teaching, Crowe exhibited internationally, restored antique cars, and preserved Cherokee cultural traditions through her art.

Her legacy includes over 40 years of classroom innovation, community workshops, and posthumous donations to the Qualla Arts and Crafts Mutual cooperative.