Warm Weather Provides Learning Opportunities through Public Art
by Jacki Dunn, Oklahoma Art in Public Places
Slowly but surely, winter is surrendering to spring. The "Great Spring Freeze of 2013" left purple-budded trees covered in icicles, but beautiful weather will not be deterred for long. As you emerge from your winter hibernation and head outside, you can discover learning opportunities through public art. Oklahoma Art in Public Places (OAIPP), the state's public art program, has a collection that spans the state. The art is easily accessible, free, and often situated near other educational or engaging activities. Start your day in the great outdoors by viewing one of our public artworks and engaging in one of the nearby activities.
Southern Oklahoma: Spend a day at the lake and check out the most recent addition to our collection, Thermal Blissby Stan Carroll. Installed just last month, this avian-adoring sculpture is situated at the new Lake Murray Nature Center near Tucker Tower.
Oklahoma City: Take time for a quiet afternoon exploring the incredible Patience S. Latting Library in northwest Oklahoma City. There are several sculptures around the exterior of the library, including a sneakers-clad dinosaur. These works by Solomon Bassoff are the result of a partnership between OAIPP and the Metropolitan Library System. Make sure to check out a book, then spend the rest of your afternoon reading at the nearby Lake Hefner. An education resource for this art is available.
Eastern Oklahoma: Raccoon Warrior guards the entrance to the Spiro Mounds Archaeological Center in Spiro,OK. This vibrant terrazzo sign is dazzling in the sunlight and echoes the imagery used inside the center to illustrate life in prehistoric Spiro. This site was the center of Native American culture from AD 900-1400, and had an extensive impact on the Southeast. There are several walking trails that take you around the mounds and into the surrounding forested area.
Tulsa: Enjoy a springtime stroll on the River Parks West Trail. Take a short detour over to the OSU Center for Health Sciences to view a sculpture by artist Ralph Helmick called Scope. Standing over 50 feet tall, this unique steel sculpture celebrates the partnership between OSU-CHS and the Tulsa Police Department.
Northern Oklahoma: Technically this public artwork isn't outside, but you can almost see the wind as it ripples through the native grasses etched on the glass of this stair railing. Prairie Winds by Kathy Bradford is located in the atrium of the Cherokee Strip Regional Heritage Center. The center is home to several galleries about Northwest Oklahoma history and a living history village. An education resource for this art is available.
If you are feeling a need for speed, take a drive past some of our transportation enhancements. There are projects located on I-40, I-35, and other state highways.
We hope you enjoy your beautiful spring day with our art! For more information on our program, artwork, and education resources check out our website.