Oklahoma Arts Council tours Okemah – Okemah News Leader

Oklahoma Arts Council tours Okemah

By Justin Scrimshire

Okemah News Leader Reporter

The Okemah Chamber of Commerce initiated a progressive financial improvement program earlier than the pandemic. Because of the pandemic shutting down so many occasions and actions, progress was minimal. Following the pandemic, exercise has ramped again up and Okemah is starting to see some optimistic outcomes.

Atlas Community Studios was employed as a marketing consultant to current concepts for financial progress and improvement. They have developed a full plan that may seen at www.placemakingokemah.com. 

One of the steering committee members is Pamela Thompson, Owner of Pamela’s Flowers and Gifts and the Okemah Office Supply. Part of the suggestions of the Atlas Community Studios is to create connections by way of interactive artwork. They wrote: “A public art initiative would be a powerful way to “live the legacy” of Woody Guthrie and supply a fund and fascinating alternative for locals and guests alike to no solely rejoice however take part in and expertise the music of not solely in the course of the Woodiest by 12 months round. We advocate a public artwork technique that may invite each skilled artists in addition to group members to assist create seven anchor artwork installations, the primary shall be a ‘Looking Glass’ idea on the Homestead.”

Thompson held a gathering in July with Amber Sharples, Director of the Oklahoma Arts Council (OAC) and mentioned concepts on the way to promote Okemah by way of public artwork. Since July, Pamela has labored together with her employees in setting a gathering in Okemah with the Arts Council government crew to debate particular concepts and initiatives for Okemah. Amber Sharples, Executive Director for the OAC and Molly O’Connor, Assistant Executive Director, have been joined by different members of the council in addition to Tonnie Dosser, who serves because the Executive Director for the Oklahomans for the Arts, a state arts advocacy group.

Thompson met the group on Thursday, October 27 for a day tour of Okemah. She began the strolling tour at Okemah Oil with the portray by George Alexander of Chief Okemah. Other murals on the tour included the Map by Libby Crimmings within the Farmer’s Market. This was an interactive artwork mission throughout Woodyfest this 12 months. In the Farmer’s Market can be a mural of “Johnnie” by Deanna Mauldin. Two different murals on the town by Deanna Mauldin are situated on the financial institution wall behind Okemah National and likewise on the Woody Park Downtown. 

One of the highlights of the Art Council tour was the US Post Office to see the portray by Richard West entitled “The Grand Council of 1842”. This portray brings to life the peace treaty between a number of Indian Tribes and Texas.  West is without doubt one of the most treasured painters of his period.  The portray that lots of take with no consideration on the put up workplace could be very beneficial, some even estimating its value round seven figures. Not solely does the council wish to promote artwork in Okemah nevertheless it additionally seeks to protect it as effectively. “The mural inside the post office is an absolute treasure and we want to look at the best way to preserve that,” stated Sharples

Thompson additionally gave a tour of the History Center, the 1921 Crystal Theatre, Benson Media Center, the London House (childhood house of Woody Guthrie), the Pecan Bowl and the Old Armory. 

While time didn’t enable, she instructed them about Pastures of Plenty, Okemah Lake that’s on the Oklahoma Fishing Trail and likewise White Lighting Buffalo Ranch. 

The Oklahoma Arts Council is a state company that not solely has the facility to award grants however serves because the state’s ambassador to advertise the humanities and educate Oklahomans in regards to the worth and impression that artwork has in Oklahoma, each broadly and particularly to the person communities. Created in 1965, the OAC helps fund 250 organizations and colleges all through the state with roughly 500 grants per 12 months. 

While it’s simple to check massive cities corresponding to Tulsa and Oklahoma City as the house of artists, artwork museums and galleries, rural communities have lengthy offered their very own contributions to the artwork world. The OAC seems to be to create alternatives that may assist foster that creativity for years to come back.

“We want to leverage the arts in rural communities,” stated Sharples. “We saw numerous spaces here that could be used for community engagement such as after school programs, songwriting classes and other forms of art appreciation.” 

Okemah has a wealthy historical past of contributors to the humanities, starting from the well-travelled legacy of Woody Guthrie to the works of world-renowned sculptor Dan Brooks. Throw in Grammy nominated John Fullbright, and singer/songwriters Shawna Russel, Melissa Hembree, Jamie Coon, in addition to others for good measure and it’s simple to see Okemah as a dependable supply of expertise and expression. 

“I’m really impressed with the history of this town,” stated Tonnie Dosser of her first go to to Okemah.

While it might have been Dosser’s first go to, the OAC shouldn’t be unfamiliar with Okemah by any stretch of the creativeness. The OAC is an annual monetary contributor to the Woody Guthrie competition held every summer season. 

“We are here to build a relationship with the community and empower Okemah to present art,” stated Sharples. After touring Okemah, the night culminated with a gathering of group leaders and enterprise house owners becoming a member of the OAC members inside the house of Senator Roger Thompson and Pamela Thompson for refreshments to debate additional cooperation in selling Okemah by way of the humanities.