Those missing in-person art experiences at the Oklahoma City Museum of Art are invited to engage through virtual events with the Museum this fall. Topics will range from collage to photography to portraiture with themes inspired by the Museum’s current and upcoming exhibitions including “Art with a History,” “Beaux Arts at 75,” “Dale Chihuly” and “Shared Lives, Distant Places.” All virtual programming is free of charge with the exception of “Spirits and Sketches” Zoom classes.
“We’ve completely reimagined the way we program,” said Rosie May, director of curatorial affairs and audience engagement. “We know many of our visitors are missing the additional engagement and connection they get from tours, lectures and classes. While the pandemic is preventing us from hosting large gatherings in person, technology allows us to create new digital experiences around the exciting exhibitions we have planned this fall.
“An additional benefit stems from the fact that we have an opportunity to reach many more people through these new digital offerings. In a typical year, we serve several thousand students on free school tours through our Yellow Bus Brigade program. This year, we will be recording virtual tours, providing high-quality art experiences to thousands of students who may not be able to visit in-person. Our collection is a wonderful asset to our community, and we are excited to share it in new and interesting ways.”
Beginning in October, the Museum plans to interview a special guest or Museum staff member on Facebook Live every other week. October events include an interview with Museum docent, foreign language consultant and retired educator, Peggy Boyles, as well as a special Museum staff discussion highlighting the exhibition “Dale Chihuly: Magic & Light.” Upcoming guests will be posted to the Museum’s Facebook page as they are confirmed.
Also in October, the Museum will continue its popular Making Memories program. Making Memories is dedicated to providing enrichment in the visual arts and a creative outlet to seniors living with dementia or Alzheimer’s disease. On hiatus since the beginning of the pandemic, the previously in-person program has been redesigned to engage participants via Zoom.
Patrons of the Museum’s popular Thursday night roof events will enjoy “Spirits and Sketches,” a new drink-and-draw series led by Museum staff and local artists. Attendees of this Zoom series can enjoy a cocktail (or mocktail) at home while participating in a guided hands-on art activity. No experience is necessary, and classes are capped to ensure participants can connect with both the instructor and each other.
While the Museum is not planning large, in-person events this fall, the galleries are open with limited capacity and timed tickets. Masks are required and reserving tickets online is encouraged. The Museum is open Wednesday through Saturday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Sunday, 12 to 5 p.m. Current exhibitions include “Dale Chihuly,” “From the Golden Age to the Moving Image” and “Postwar Abstraction.” “Shared Lived, Distant Places: Recent Acquisitions in Photography” opens Oct. 17 and “Beaux Arts at 75” opens Nov. 7.
Fall Programming Schedule:
Virtual Making Memories
Tuesday, Oct. 13, 10-11:00 a.m.
Join a relaxed conversation inspired by the photographs in OKCMOA’s fall exhibition, Shared Lives, Distant Places. Participants must register by visiting okcmoa.com and have Zoom downloaded on their chosen device to participate. A link to the private Zoom class will be sent via email to those registered. Registration is limited to 15 participants. Registration closes at 5 p.m. on the day before the program. This is a free program for seniors with dementia and their caregivers.
Weekly Facebook Live in the Galleries
Museum staff will lead mini-tours every other week. Broadcast on Tuesdays, when OKCMOA is closed to the public, patrons can delve into this weekly program from safe distances. Speakers will include Museum staff from across departments and areas of experience. Visit OKCMOA on Facebook for more information.
Virtual Spirits and Sketches
Collaging Narrative
$5 for Members/$8 for future Members
Thursday, Oct. 22, 6-7:30 p.m.
Inspired by Nature
$5 for Members/$8 for future Members
Thursday, Nov. 12, 6-7:30 p.m.
Pet Portraits
$5 for Members/$8 for future Members
Thursday, Dec. 10, 6-7:30 p.m.
Educational and healing arts programming is made possible thanks to the following generous sponsors. For more information about sponsoring programming at the Museum, email development@okcmoa.com.
Education
Allied Arts
Del and Peggy Boyles
Mrs. Royce Hammons
Suzette and S. Kim Hatfield
Kimray, Inc.
The Meinders Foundation
Darryl and Kathy Smette
Free Family Day
SONIC Drive-In
Healing Arts
Allied Arts
Crawley Petroleum Corporation
Oklahoma Art League
Oklahoma City Community Foundation
SSM Health Care of Oklahoma
Hull & Totten, PC – In Memory of Monica Sora Hadjiyousefzadeh
Keith Klem – In Memory of Monica Sora Hadjiyousefzadeh
Robin L. Miller – In Memory of Monica Sora Hadjiyousefzadeh
Donna Rotan – In Memory of Monica Sora Hadjiyousefzadeh
Making Memories
IPS Research
Dr. Charles and Mrs. Leslie Te
Linda and Steve Slawson
Alice Dahlgren
Distance Learning
Crawley Petroleum Corporation
The Hearst Foundations
Inasmuch Foundation
Free Children’s Admission
The Chickasaw Nation
The Ann Lacy Foundation
Cresap Family Foundation
Chuck and Renate Wiggin
Gallery + Studio
Leslie and Clifford Hudson
Wells Fargo
