Cherokee National Treasure Ron Mitchell has been a fixture around Native American art shows for decades. Mitchell was born in Ft. Benning, Georgia, on December 25, 1943, and was raised on many different military bases in the United States and Germany. He spent many summers with his Cherokee grandmother, whose stories and legends of the Cherokee people inspired him and still influences his art today.

Since the first show he entered in 1971, Mitchell has made his living as a professional artist who is always ready to help others. Through demonstrations and being a mentor to numerous beginning artist he has shared his knowledge and experience. The prolific artist’s style evolved over the years, instinctively painting, drawing and sculpting about his heritage: whether it be by incorporating representations of impossible spaces, shapes or objects turning into something completely different, or using the full spectrum of colors in his paintings despite being red-green colorblind. His style has changed with the seasons, matching the change and growth of the Cherokee Nation.

In 2025, he was recognized as a Cherokee National Treasure for exceptional skill and knowledge in visual arts by creating unique Cherokee works, perpetuating and preserving the Cherokee language, embodying Cherokee values and bequeathing his knowledge to younger generations.