Western Carolina University - Luzene Hill, Class of '07, Fine Arts

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Luzene Hill, Class of '07, Fine Arts

Alumna illustrates three books written in Cherokee syllabary

Above: Hill's illustrations for "Bear Man."

Luzene Hill ‘07 has illustrated three books for WCU’s Cherokee language program intended to revitalize the Cherokee language. The first book, “The Grouchy Old Lady,” was published in fall 2007. “Spearfinger” was published in March, and “Bear Man” is upcoming. A planned series calls for a total of seven books, all based on Cherokee legends. The Cherokee Preservation Foundation funds the series, and WCU’s Cherokee language program oversees production.

Hill, a member of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians, graduated with a bachelor of fine arts degree. She illustrated the first book with a combination of collage and pen-and-ink drawings and the second two books with cut-paper collage.

“Spearfinger” is “beautifully bound and nicely done,” Hill said. “As we were working on the book, that was one of the most important things in my mind. I feel as though the children deserve a first-rate book in their own language.”

The books are presented entirely in the Cherokee language, with no accompanying English translation. Presenting the works solely in the Cherokee language conveys a message of the language’s importance, said Hartwell Francis, director of WCU’s Cherokee language program. “Recognizing the status of the Cherokee language as a full language is very important in this project,” Francis said.

Hill moved to the Qualla Boundary after 11 years working as a special events coordinator in Emory University’s School of Medicine. She entered WCU’s fine art program shortly after moving, and now is a program associate with the Oconaluftee Institute for Cultural Arts on the Qualla Boundary.

“I would not have been offered that position if I had not been earned my bachelor of fine arts degree,” Hill said. “I made a great decision in going to WCU.”