News Release

Rodger Randle displays cultural photography at State Capitol

May 15, 2007

FOR MORE INFORMATION, CONTACT:
Ann Dee Lee
Public Information Director
Oklahoma Arts Council
(405) 521-2931
anndee@arts.ok.gov

Oklahoma City, OK - The title of Rodger Randle’s photography exhibit opening in the State Capitol, Far Away Places, reflects his interest in international relations and education … both subjects he comes by naturally.

Randle’s exhibit will be on display in the first floor of the North Gallery at the State Capitol through June 15. Curated by the Oklahoma Arts Council, the North Gallery is devoted to Oklahoma’s finest photographers and is open daily from 8:30-5:00.

A native Tulsan who earned degrees from the University of Oklahoma and the University of Tulsa, Randle has served in the Peace Corps, the Oklahoma House of Representatives, the Oklahoma State Senate, as well as serving two terms as mayor of Tulsa.

As an educator, he has taught at a number of Oklahoma colleges and served as president of the University Center at Tulsa. Randle teaches and offices in Tulsa, and holds the rank of Professor in the Department of Human Relations, and also serves as Director of the Center for Studies in Democracy and Culture at the University of Oklahoma -Tulsa.

Executive Director Betty Price said that as President Pro Tem of the Senate, Rodger Randle was an outspoken advocate for major public art in the Oklahoma State Capitol. “Early on, he encouraged our Council to take an active role in commissioning paintings, murals and sculpture by world class artists that have created beauty and interest for thousands of tourists and school children who come to the Capitol each year.”

Randle calls his style of shooting "cultural photography" and says he tries to direct the attention of the viewer to particular characteristics of a people or place.

“Photography is a way to tell stories about people and places without using words. The photography should be more than a picture. I especially like photos that can convey the mood or feeling of a scene; just the simple documentation of a place is not adequate for what I want to achieve,” said Randle.

He said that almost any photograph, closely enough examined, will tell the whole history of human civilization.

For more information, contact Ann Dee Lee, Public Relations Director, Oklahoma Arts Council, (405) 521-2931 or anndee@arts.ok.gov.

ABOUT THE OKLAHOMA ARTS COUNCIL

The Oklahoma Arts Council is a state agency whose mission is to improve lives through the arts by promoting and sustaining the development of a thriving arts environment, which is essential to quality of life, education and economic vitality for all Oklahomans.

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