Judy Coser

Judy Coser is a Native American artist from the U.S. state of Oklahoma. Known for her intricate bead work and recreation of traditional clothing and cultural items, Coser's work has been purchased by the Philbrook and Gilcrease museums in Tulsa, OK.

Born in Lawton, OK, Judy Coser first became interested in beadwork after seeing her great-grandmother’s traditional native clothing. Her father worked as a leather craftsman, and seeing him work with his hands throughout her childhood inspired Coser to follow in his path. Coser was raised in Shawnee, OK and took her first beading class at a church summer camp in Wyandotte, OK.

Education

Coser attended a semester at St. Gregory’s University and Oklahoma City University, but eventually graduated from the University of Oklahoma with a degree in political science. While Coser attended the University of Oklahoma, she partially funded her education through beadwork and sewing. Coser later started a master’s program at Northeastern State University and then went to the University of New Mexico. In 1989, Coser married George Coser.

Coser specializes her beadwork in traditional clothing and cultural items. She was among the first bead artists in Oklahoma to incite a renewal of interest in bandolier bags and beaded collars.

Coser first entered her bead work in competitive shows in 1994. One of the first shows she competed in was Red Earth. She entered some beaded flaps for a pair of Kickapoo moccasins and was awarded second place. The following year in 1995 she entered the same show and got first place. One of Coser’s most notable works is an otterskin bag that is currently owned by the Philbrook Museum in Tulsa, OK.

Coser and her husband were also very involved with powwows because of their love of dance. They traveled to Wisconsin several times to visit with the Great Lakes people.

One of Coser’s greatest accomplishments has been finishing a Great Lakes bandolier bag in honor of her maternal great-uncle, a Sac and Fox. Along with her beadwork and classes in moccasin making, Coser is regularly asked to share her cultural knowledge with the Native American Student Association in the Glenpool school district.Her work has been purchased by the Philbrook and Gilcrease museums in Tulsa as well as the Creek Council House Museum. Coser’s work has been featured in Oklahoma Today and the Tulsa World. In 2011, her artwork was also featured in the film The Cherokee Word for Water. Earlier in 2004, both Judy and her husband George were Tulsa Sister City representatives to Celle, Germany, where they exhibited their native powwow dances.

In 2012, George and Judy were named Native American Elders of the Year by the Oklahoma AARP.