Oklahoma Arts Council News
May 2026
Capitol Exhibition on May 13 to Feature Historic Gift of Works by Acclaimed Oklahoma Native Artists
A special opening reception on Wednesday, May 13 at 4:00 p.m., will give Oklahomans the chance to view a new exhibition in the Betty Price Gallery at the Oklahoma State Capitol. Showcasing works recently gifted to the people of Oklahoma from The Howard L. and Mary Ellen Meredith Collection, the new exhibition features a historic donation by daughters America Meredith and Samonia Byford of more than 10 artworks created by some of the most influential and highly recognized Native artists connected to the state.
Artists whose works were gifted include:
-
Benjamin Harjo, Jr. (Absentee Shawnee/Seminole)
-
Norma Howard (Choctaw Nation/Chickasaw/Mississippi Choctaw)
-
Vanessa Paukeigope Jennings (Kiowa Tribe/Na'ishq Apache/Gila River Pima)
-
Ruthe Blalock Jones (Shawnee Tribe/Delaware/Peoria)
-
Shan Goshorn (Eastern Band Cherokee)
-
Doc Tate Nevaquaya (Comanche)
-
Jane Osti (Cherokee Nation)
-
Juanita Pahdopony (Comanche)
-
Jeri Redcorn (Caddo Nation/Potawatomi)
-
Dick West (Southern Cheyenne)
Also included in the exhibition are new acquisitions of artworks created by Robert Bonaparte, an important figure in Oklahoma's abstract art history, and John Newsom, whose painting, "Prairie Tales," was the inaugural gift of the nonprofit Friends of the Oklahoma Arts Council in collaboration with Ken and Mary Ann Fergeson, Jarrod Fergeson and Anna Cox, and numerous donors.
The Oklahoma State Art Collection was established in 1971 through a grant from the National Endowment for the Arts to acquire and preserve artwork that reflects significant artistic achievement by artists connected to Oklahoma. Rotating exhibitions of the collection are displayed in the Betty Price Gallery located on the second floor at the Oklahoma State Capitol.
NOTE: The Betty Price Gallery is closed May 1-May 12 in preparation for the exhibition.
'Sunrise Over the Pacific' Unveiled on House Floor
A new addition to the artwork in the Hall of Heroes at the Oklahoma State Capitol was dedicated on the floor of the Oklahoma House of Representatives in April. "Sunset Over the Pacific" by Oklahoma artist Greg Burns depicts the PCU Oklahoma (SSN 802), a Virginia-class attack submarine in service with the U.S. Navy. The boat's keel was laid down August 2, 2023.
Created in Burns' typical style of pen, ink, and watercolor, and completed in 2025, the work was gifted to the people of Oklahoma by Rear Admiral (Ret.) Greg Slavonic, Commander (Ret.) Tucker McHugh, and Rocky Goins. The Oklahoma Arts Council oversaw the framing of the work in a gold-leaf filled, closed corner frame, adding museum-quality glass to mitigate UV exposure.
"Sunset Over the Pacific" is Burns' second work of art in the collections managed by the Oklahoma Arts Council. His work, "Hefner Living Room," was added to the Oklahoma State Art Collection in 2012. Numerous works of Burns' are in the Oklahoma Public Art Collection, including recent works added at the Oklahoma Banking Department.
Virtual Option Available for 2026 Oklahoma Arts and Health Summit
Due to an overwhelming response to the offering of the 2026 Oklahoma Arts and Health Summit, the event has reached capacity for in-person registrations. However, for those still interested in experiencing the summit, the Oklahoma Arts Council is pleased to announce the opportunity to experience most of the event online.
A first-of-its-kind summit in Oklahoma, the convening will feature leading international scholars and experts working in and studying the intersection of arts and health.
Featured speakers include:
-
Dr. Tasha Golden, behavioral scientist and internationally recognized expert on creativity, health, and innovation
-
Dr. Jenny Baxley Lee, board-certified dance/movement therapist and master lecturer with the University of Florida's Center for Arts in Medicine
-
Dr. Concetta Tomaino, co-founder and Executive Director of the Institute for Music and Neurological Function
2026 Oklahoma Arts and Health Summit
Thursday, May 21
Sessions begin at 9:00 a.m.
Join the waitlist and receive a link to participate virtually (no cost).
Stay tuned for more details about summit sessions and speakers!
Made possible in part by special funding from the National Endowment for the Arts and through a grant from the Oklahoma Tobacco Settlement Endowment Trust (TSET).
Oklahoma Arts Council, Federal and State Leaders Celebrate Route 66 Public Art in Wellston
An energized crowd of local residents, state leaders, arts supporters, media, and others gathered in Wellston on April 23 to dedicate a trio of public art installations commissioned through the Oklahoma Arts Council's Art in Public Places program. At the center of attention, a push pin sculpture, "You Are Here," is already garnering attention by Route 66 travelers and across social media.
"We want people to slow down, get off the highways and spend money in these small towns along Route 66," said Oklahoma Lieutenant Governor Matt Pinnell, who along with Federal Highway Administrator Sean McMaster, Oklahoma Secretary of Transportation Tim Gatz, and Oklahoma Turnpike Authority Executive Director Joe Echelle, joined the Oklahoma Arts Council to celebrate the public art and cut the ribbon on a new bridge on Turner Turnpike over Route 66.
"Along Route 66, a corridor so deeply woven and iconic of the American story, these works help anchor us to the history of Wellston, while also projecting vitality and possibility to all who pass through," said Sharples.
Oklahoma Arts Council Executive Director Amber Sharples explained the significance of the new works, the first of more than 10 in what will be a statewide Route 66 Public Art Trail.
In addition to "You Are Here" by Joseph O'Connell's Creative Machines, artworks included "Harvest and Highway" by Cliff Garten Studio and "Relics and Reed" by Helen Atkins and Will Guesz. The artworks were funded by the Oklahoma Department of Transportation.
Deadline Approaching for Heartland Craft Guilds: Capacity Support Grants
Oklahoma craft guild organizations are urged to learn about Mid-America Arts Alliance's new grant program. Applications are due soon for their Heartland Craft Guilds: Capacity Support Grants, which offers unrestricted funding for nonprofit craft guilds and other organizations that practice, preserve, and sustain craft traditions and hands-on making.
Through the program, organizations will receive $12,000, peer learning opportunities, coaching, workshops, and more.
View the full program guidelines here. Deadline for submissions is May 15.
Disaster-Related Resources for Oklahoma's Arts Sector
With spring bringing potential for severe storms and weather-related disasters, the Oklahoma Arts Council is prepared to lead the state arts sector in providing critical information and connection to disaster-related resources for artists, arts organizations, and others whose work leverages the arts in communities and schools.
Following the late April outbreak of storms in parts of Oklahoma, those in the arts who have been impacted are encouraged to learn about the National Coalition for Arts Preparedness and Emergency Response (NCAPER). NCAPER is a robust hub for disaster-related resources, offering detailed information to essential resources and outlining steps to take after experiencing a disaster.
The staff of the Oklahoma Arts Council is committed to assisting those in the arts sector affected by the impacts of adverse weather and other disasters. We remain on standby to help connect Oklahomans with the arts-related resources they need. Our team can be reached at (405) 521-2931 or okarts@arts.ok.gov.
Arts Sector Organizations Recognized at 'One Awards'
Four arts sector organizations earned recognition from the Oklahoma Center for Nonprofits (OKCNP) during April's 2026 One Awards event, celebrating excellence in nonprofit administration.
The Arts Council OKC was named the category winner among three arts and humanities finalists, which included Leonardo's Children's Museum and Oklahoma Humanities. The Oklahoma Mural Syndicate was a finalist in the community category.
Established in 2008, the event was created to draw attention to nonprofit organizations that employ the tenets of excellence in their operations every day as they work to change the landscape of human services and community assistance. Winners and finalists earn cash grants of up to $10,000. Learn more here.
New Route 66 Byways Report Links the Arts and Rural Development
With the 2026 centennial of Route 66, a new publication offers a robust resource for leveraging scenic routes—and the local arts and cultural heritage assets found along them—for rural development.
Published by the Community Development and Engagement Department of the Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City, "The Byways Report: The Scenic Route to Rural Prosperity" was inspired by the Oklahoma Arts Council's Leadership Arts program, through which Leadership Arts class member Steve Shepelwich said the idea for the the piece was initially sparked. Shepelwich is the lead community development advisor for the Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City's Oklahoma City Branch.
Among the stories of the arts boosting tourism spotlighted in the book Route 66 is a six-page feature on Suzanne Hylton of Sayre, Oklahoma. Also a Leadership Arts graduate, Hylton launched a nonprofit arts organization in 2012 in her rural Route 66 town, through which she helped open an arts gallery, started the Dust Bowl Days festival, and more.
Read more about byways journeys, the arts, and rural development in the report.
Arts Day Brings Sector Together at State Capitol
Hundreds of Oklahomans from the arts sector gathered at the state Capitol on April 30 for the annual Arts Day at the Capitol event, hosted by Oklahomans for the Arts. Held in the second-floor rotunda and the adjacent Hall of Heroes, the event featured performances throughout the morning and a lunchtime panel presentation focusing on using storytelling and data together to demonstrate the impact of the arts.
The staff of the Oklahoma Arts Council was on hand to greet and catch up with many of the day's attendees. Several of the agency's Governor-appointed Council members joined the staff at the Capitol, including Shannon Crites of Ardmore, Vice-Chair John Kennedy of Oklahoma City, and Carrie Leonard of Oklahoma City.