To Be the West
June 8-10, National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum
When the National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum declares that an exhibition features the finest contemporary Western artists in the nation, you can believe that the Prix de West is thoroughly impressive to behold. Dean Mitchell’s “R.T. Williams, Buffalo Soldier” is one of more than 300 paintings and sculptures in multiple styles on display, and the opening weekend’s seminars, demonstrations and trunk shows June 8-10 are musts for enthusiasts.
Native Views
June 8-Sept. 9, Fred Jones Jr. Museum of Art
The Chickasaw Nation has a strong sense of its cultural past and heritage, and the modern world carries a powerful influence of its own. Integrating the past and present is a challenge that varies with each person who attempts it, but the results can be fascinating for people of all descents. Visual Voices offers dozens of pieces by contemporary Chickasaw artists, each following his or her own muse in considering their places in the world and the stories of their lives.
The Traveler’s Ties
June 2-Aug. 11, Oklahoma Contemporary Arts Center
Moving temporarily (just a couple of decades) from Japan to Kansas could trigger wicked culture shock, but fiber artist Chiyoko Myose is more concernes with the relationships that such a journey can forge. Her sweeping installation called Sojourning invites visitors to contemplate the connections we share as citizens of the world, concretizing the concept by adding their own strands to one piece, so their own contribution adds to the whole.
Paper Power
June 16-Sept.9, OKC Museum of Art
Cotton, silk, velvet … paper? The OKC Museum of Art’s latest exhibition explores the oeuvre of Belgian artist Isabelle de Borchgrave, who creates haute couture, or at least the appearance of it, by crafting life-sized costumes of eye-catching splendor – which just happen to be made from material similar to what you’re reading right now. The end results featured in Fashioning Art From Paper aren’t feasible as fashion, but they are intriguing examples of creative innovation.
#1 Summer Jam
June 14-16, Brookhaven Village and Andrews Park
Summer in Oklahoma means that the temperature is hot; summer in Norman means that so is the music. The free audio frolic that is Jazz in June returns for a 35th year of serving up some musical sizzle – with blues and jazz under the stars at Brookhaven and performances by Smoochie Wallus, Huntertones and headliner TAUK downtown on Saturday, the heat is about to be on in the best way.
