NEWS RELEASE
For Immediate Release
April 7, 2009
FOR MORE INFORMATION, CONTACT:
Ann Dee Lee
Public Information Director
Oklahoma Arts Council
(405) 521-2931
anndee@arts.ok.gov
UNSCARRED BY SPUR OR ROD EXHIBIT OPENS AT STATE CAPITOL
Oklahoma City, OK –Kristen Vails describes herself as one of those horse crazy girls whose parents gave in and fulfilled her desire to roam the Oklahoma countryside on horseback. In her exhibit, Unscarred by Spur or Rod, at the State Capitol, she uses the horse as a vehicle for expression.
Curated by the Oklahoma Arts Council, This Oklahoma City artist’s exhibit will beon display in the first floor of Capitol in the East Gallery from April 13 through June 14. the East Gallery is open daily from 8:30-5:00. An Opening Reception will be held in the East Gallery on Monday, April 13th from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.
Vails says she paints horses simply because she knows the animal well. “I feel the horse can be an image to relate many feelings, struggles and passions we as humans experience. Horses can exude so many different emotions—fear, boldness, weariness, peace, obedience … in such a beautiful manner. I hope to capture the beauty of the horse’s presence and the vast wonder of the human’s soul.”
She finds it beautiful and ironic that complexities for both humans and horses are so similar. “Although my vehicle of expression duals with self-examination, I believe the viewer can relate the horse with their own conditions through my conception of beauty.”
Her work has been exhibited at the Firehouse Art Center Gallery, Mainsite Contemporary Art, Redlands Community College, and is working towards upcoming exhibitions at the Tulsa Artists Coalition and Leslie Powell Gallery.
While creating art is her primary initiative, Vails also works towards promoting the visual arts in her community. She believes that painting is not the only way in which to share her creativity. Vails is currently the Executive Director of the Plaza Arts District in Oklahoma City and previously served as the Gallery Coordinator for the visual non-profit community arts center, Firehouse Art Center in Norman.
Raised in Piedmont, Oklahoma, Kristen Vails attended the University of Oklahoma, where she earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in Painting. She then began teaching art to inner city youth of all ages.
For more information, contact Ann Dee Lee, Public Information 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.
---End---