John Julius Wilnoty

John Julius Wilnoty (April 10, 1940 – June 7, 2016) was a renowned self-taught sculptor of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians. Wilnoty carved from wood, bone, and mainly steatite (soapstone). Wilnoty's carvings portray figures from Cherokee oral history. His work has been displayed in many exhibitions; And some works are in the Smithsonian collection. His sons (Fred Wilnoty and the late John Wilnoty Jr.) and grandson (Fred Wilnoty Jr.) also established themselves as carvers.

Life John Julius Wilnoty was born in the Big Witch community of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians reserve in North Carolina. His family later moved to Wolftown, also on the reserve. Wilnoty never completed his formal education. He was reading at a third grade level. " One of these friends was Tom Underwood of Medicine Man Crafts. The Smithsonian Collection holds eleven of Wilnoty's pieces in their permanent collection.