Oklahoma Contemporary
Two people wearing masks pose in front of a metallic building.

New Light

March 01, 2021

Contemporary Calendar: March 2021

A look at what's ahead this month at Oklahoma Contemporary
A person stands looking at art on the wall, including a painting of a mountain overlaid with the words "FIGURE IT ON OUT," in a gallery
Ed Ruscha: OKLA, on view in the Eleanor Kirkpatrick Main Gallery at Oklahoma Contemporary through July 5.

It's been a rough winter, but spring is right around the corner at your new arts center. With tickets available for Ed Ruscha: OKLA and Fieldworks: Beyond Measure, plus tons of related public programming and education opportunities, there's plenty to see and do at Oklahoma Contemporary — both virtually and in person — over the next 30 days. From Camp Contemporary offerings and Studio School workshops to illuminating conversations and so much more, take a look at a few of the events planned for March and start marking your calendars for a month of art-forward fun.


A person wearing a face mask, brimmed hat and apron sits at a ceramics wheel spinning clay
Studio School registration is open now for members, with general registration opening March 8.

March 1: Studio School Registration opens (members only)

Membership has its benefits at Oklahoma Contemporary, and early registration for Studio School is a big one. Starting today, members can sign up for -- and get a 10 percent discount on -- one of our hands-on classes and workshops taught by professional artists in a fun, low-pressure environment. Spring offerings will be conducted via Zoom or in person with masks required and social distancing measures enforced. Check out both favorites and innovative alternatives in 2-D, 3-D, Ceramics, Digital Media, Fiber and Performance plus brand-new lineups in Literary Arts, Art & Ideas and Artist Professional Development.

General registration for the spring session begins Monday, March 8 at 10 a.m. and enrollment for most multi-week classes closes on Sunday, April 4 at 11:59 p.m. The deadline to register for four-week classes that begin in May is Sunday, May 9 at 11:59 p.m. Deadlines for workshops and Friday Night Series courses registrations vary – check each course listing for details. Be sure and check back in with New Light next week for a look at a few standout classes and workshops coming to Oklahoma Contemporary this spring.


A do-it-yourself screenprint depicting a stylized slice of pizza
Former Studio-in-Place artist Virginia Sitzes teaches a class on DIY screenprinting this Friday, March 5.

March 5: DIY Screenprints with Virginia Sitzes

Get inspired by the many screenprints (or serigraphs, depending on who you ask) on view in the Ed Ruscha: OKLA exhibition, then create your own DIY screen with an embroidery hoop, nylon fabric and ink. After this two-hour online course with former Studio-in-Place artist Virginia Sitzes, you'll be able to impress your friends with your screenprint knowledge and create quick-and-dirty prints on paper or fabric patches. The $20 price includes all materials, which you can pick up at Oklahoma Contemporary the Wednesday, Thursday or Friday before the course. Registration closes at noon the day of the event.


A hand grips the handle of a tote bag screenprinted with flowers, depicting the words "Oklahoma Contemporary"
The official Oklahoma Contemporary tote bag, available in our retail store, produced in partnership with Cauldron Press.

March 11: In Conversation with Amanda Horton and The Cauldron Press

Learn more about the history and creative process of art books and zines as they relate to graphic design with Amanda Horton and The Cauldron Press. Horton teaches graphic design history and theory classes at the University of Central Oklahoma. Also university professors, James Ewald and Brock Wynn run The Cauldron Press, a small Risograph print shop producing limited-edition runs of art books, prints and zines. Offered in conjunction Ed Ruscha: OKLA, tune in to join Amanda, James and Brock for reflections on Ruscha’s influence on self-publication as an art form. Tune in at 7 p.m. that night on YouTube, Facebook and right here on our website.


A child in a red dress paints on the concrete, on all fours
Don't miss the fun during Second Saturday on March 13.

March 13: Second Saturday | Print Frenzy

Get creative and get reconnected this March! In celebration of Ed Ruscha: OKLA, this Second Saturday will explore the fun and funky side of printmaking. Programs will include artist demos, collaborative activities and printmaking projects -- including an art activity inspired by Ruscha’s Chocolate Room. We hope you’ll join us for an afternoon of sweet surprises and contemporary creativity!

We encourage visitors and families to bring a blanket, wear your masks and enjoy the fun on our North Lawn and throughout the arts campus. Make sure to come hungry because Café Contemporary will be offering tasty seasonal treats, drinks, and boxed lunches for purchase.

Editor's note: Timed tickets required to attend this event. Space is limited -- reserve yours now.


A child works on an art project on a blanket spread out on the grass in the daytime
Keep your kids creative this Spring Break at Camp Contemporary.

March 15-19: Camp Contemporary

Get your kids out of their online rut and into something creative this spring break! Camp Contemporary’s March options will be held in person in our socially distanced studios and across our campus. To ensure a fun, engaging and safe environment, each camp -- led by professional local teaching artists and studio assistants -- will be limited to 10 students. As part of the week’s experiences, campers will take a Gallery Guide-led, interactive tour of the Ed Ruscha: OKLA exhibition.

Kids who don't mind getting their hands dirty will love the Clay All Day camp with Liv Egan. Taking inspiration from Japanese pop art artist Yayoi Kusama, tween campers will create colorful ceramic forms with a contemporary twist! Campers will be introduced to ceramic practices, including hand-building techniques, wheel throwing and clay construction.

And for those 7- to 9-year-old campers who can't sit still, our Creative Movement camp is the perfect way to get up and get moving. This camp focuses on contemporary dance movements, energic beats, funky moves and lots of laughs. While socially distancing outdoors and in the Dance Studio, campers will learn a choreographed dance from local RACE Dance Collective artist Joshua Okpara.


A framed piece of art on a gallery wall depicts the letters "OK" in orange against a blue background
OK (State I) by Ed Ruscha. © Ed Ruscha. Photo: Trayson Conner

March 20: Online Workshop | DIY Typography

What's in a letter? Discover the basics of typography in this workshop with designer Bryan Boone. Inspired by artist Ed Ruscha's own "Boy Scout Utility Modern" font, you'll design your own typeface to digitize and use on your own computer.

For a different kind of by-the-letter fun, be sure and sign up for Studio School's four-week class on hand-lettering with artist Aditi Panchal.


Two people eat outdoors on a patio overlooking a concert on a green lawn
Latin Mojo Band comes to Oklahoma Contemporary on March 25 as part of Arts Council Oklahoma City's Spotlight Concert Series.

March 25: Spotlight Concert with Latin Mojo Band

As one of the Kirkpatrick Family Fund-supported Bright Golden Haze:Reflections projects, Arts Council Oklahoma City’s Spotlight Concert Series celebrated the “bright future” of OKC’s entertainment community with unforgettable live performances inspired by Oklahoma Contemporary’s inaugural exhibition, Bright Golden Haze. Latin Mojo Band’s concert was canceled because of inclement weather in the fall, and we’re excited to host them this spring.

Reservations are required for lawn seating. Each reservation is good for one designated 8-foot circle on our North Lawn. Parties of up to four guests may share one circle. Please help us ensure social distancing by reserving additional circles for parties larger than four. Reservations will be available two weeks before the concert.


Editor's note: For a complete list of Oklahoma Contemporary happenings, visit our calendar of events.

Gallery images: 

Ed Ruscha: OKLA, on view at Oklahoma Contemporary. © Ed Ruscha. Photo: Trayson Conner.

Ed Ruscha. OK (State I), 1997. Lithograph on Rives BFK paper. 26 7/8 x 36 in. Ed. 22/25. Los Angeles County Museum of Art, Gift of The Jane & Marc Nathanson Family Foundation. © Ed Ruscha.

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Hours

Monday 11 a.m. - 6 p.m.

Closed Tuesday

Wednesday 11 a.m. - 6 p.m.

Thursday 11 a.m. - 9 p.m.

Friday - Sunday 11 a.m. - 6 p.m.

see additional holidays

Location

Visit us at 11 NW 11th St.
Oklahoma City, OK 73103
Phone: 405 951 0000
Fax: 405 459 0551
info@okcontemp.org

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Oklahoma Contemporary
P.O. Box 3062
Oklahoma City, OK 73101

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