Festival of the Arts’ Young at Art Mart lets kids become collectors
A young art collector shops for prints at the Young at Art Mart at the 2009 Festival of the Arts on Friday. (Photo by Steve Gooch/The Oklahoman)
A version of this story also appears in Saturday’s The Oklahoman.
Oklahoma City Festival of the Arts has creations for the young at art
The boldly lettered sign across the entrance reads “Sorry, no adults allowed,” the first clue that the Young at Art Mart is different from other tents at the Festival of the Arts.
That sign makes the tent a favored attraction at the Youth Plaza on the east side of the Myriad Botanical Gardens.
“I think it’s very cool. You can go in and see all these different pieces of art. And it’s really unique. … Parents are always behind you telling you, ‘No you can’t buy this (or) it’s too expensive,” Lydia Shelton, 9, of Oklahoma City said Friday, showing the floral painting on wood she picked, while her brother, Grant, 7, carried his new wooden car.
The Young at Art Mart offers children 12 and younger the chance to buy original art created by many of the festival’s juried artists. All the works are priced at $5 or less.
The goal is to foster in children a love of art and collecting artwork.
“It’s wildly popular. The children love it. They can go in and find a Mother’s Day gift, a birthday gift or something they can hang in their rooms,” said Festival Director Angela Cozby.
Parents can wait just inside the tent’s entrance. out of the brisk winds and beaming sun. But only children and festival volunteers are allowed in the inner “circle,” where colorful abstract paintings, stunning nature photographs, painted wood plaques and more are exhibited in low displays.
The “no adults” rule sometimes catches parents off guard, but many appreciate it. – even if they are a bit envious of the deals their kids are getting.
“They pick all sorts of art out of there, pots, little metal work like flowers, and of course, photographs and paintings,” said Kathleen Tate of Oklahoma City. “They all have different personalities and they can pick something that reflects that.”
Tate used to send her four children into the mart; on Friday, she waited while her granddaughter, Taryn Ashley, 9, looked for the perfect purchase.
Youngsters can buy one item per day from the mart. Taryn took her time browsing before choosing a “cool” photo of a blue frog by artist Ron Mellott.
While her three children shopped, Nikkita Grant of Oklahoma City couldn’t resist the urge to coach them to and away from certain purchases as she stood at the tent entrance.
“I want something out of here, too. I am jealous,” she said with a laugh. “This is the No. 1 reason why we came, to encourage my kids to appreciate art.”
-BAM
Friday Festival of the Arts schedule
Caleb Chancellor, 7, plays with wind chimes at the Festival of the Arts in Oklahoma City Thursday. The chimes are made of clay and are shown by artist Gint Sabaliauskas. The festival ends Sunday. Photo by Jim Beckel/The Oklahoman)
2009 Festival of the Arts schedule
The 43rd Annual Festival of the Arts will continue today-Sunday in downtown Oklahoma City at the Festival Plaza, Stage Center and the Myriad Botanical Gardens. Hours are 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. today and Saturday and 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday. The event is a celebration of the visual, culinary and performing arts.
Admission is free. No pets are allowed.
For more information, call 270-4848 or go to www.artscouncilokc.com.
Friday
Café Stage
Westwood Elementary Honor Choir – Choral 11 a.m.
John Arnold Band – Country noon
Green Fashion Show – Fashion show 1 p.m.
The Sleepless Continuum – Progressive/Instrumental 2 p.m.
Studio B featuring Bruce Benson – Jazz/Blues/R&B 3 p.m.
Putnam City High School Jazz Band – Jazz/Instrumental 4 p.m.
Secret Sons – Rock/Pop/Variety 5 p.m.
Conspiracy of Angels – Rock 6 p.m.
The Wise Guys – Rock 7:30 p.m.
Children’s Stage
Soldier Creek Natural Notes – Choral 11 a.m.
5th Grade Ralph Downs Road Runner Chorus – Choral noon
Coronado Cougar Chorus – Choral 12:30 p.m.
OKC Beautiful – Play 1 p.m.
Encore Dance Centre Company – Dance 2 p.m.
Nichols Hills Elementary Varsity Choir – Choral 3 p.m.
Forgart Elementary School Honor Choir – Choral 4 p.m.
Teen Advisory Council Variety Show – Variety 5 p.m.
“Festival Idol” Competition 6 p.m.
Kaleidoscope Dancer Company – Dance 7:30 p.m.
Deck Stage
D. Ray Polk – Pop/Folk 11 a.m.
Oklahoma Traditions – Traditional noon
Debbie Henning – Instrumental 1 p.m.
J. Brian Hall – Pop/Jazz 2 p.m.
Stephanie Jackson – Classical/Standards 3 p.m.
Bad Assets – Rock 4 p.m.
Tajj – Contemporary Jazz 5 p.m.
The Stringents – Instrumental 6 p.m.
Suspicious Contra Band 7:30 p.m.
Water Stage
Bob Deupree & Friends – Singer/Songwriter 11 a.m.
Borderline – Country noon
H.R.S. – Rock/Jazz 1 p.m.
Time Crisis – Rock/Inspirational 2 p.m.
Blue Moon – Rock/Pop/Variety 3 p.m.
David Bruster Band – Variety 4 p.m.
J. Echols – Jazz 5 p.m.
Loose Change – 80’s Rock 6 p.m.
Class Act – Soul/Jazz 7:30 p.m.
-BAM
Weekend Warmup
Oklahoma City American Indian flutist Albert Gray Eagle performs with the group Unity during the Festival of the Arts in downtown Oklahoma City on Wednesday. (Photo by John Clanton/The Oklahoman)
Here is a preview of some of the Oklahoma events going on the weekend of April 24-26:
- Enjoy art, music, food and fun today through Sunday at the Festival of the Arts at Festival Plaza, Stage Center and Myriad Gardens in downtown Oklahoma City. Information: 270-4848 or www.artscouncilokc.com.
- TULSA – Hear the recently reunited Toadies at 8:30 p.m. Friday at Cain’s Ballroom, 423 N Main in Tulsa. Information: www.cainsballroom.com.
- TULSA – See Black Label Society and Sevendust at 7 p.m. Sunday at the Brady Theater, 105 W Brady. (Due to the high level of demand for tickets, the show, which was originally set for Cain’s Ballroom, has been moved to the Brady.) Information: www.bradytheater.com.
Stardeath and the White Dwarfs
- NORMAN – See Of Montreal, Starlight Mints, Man Man, Stardeath and White Dwarfs and dozens of other bands at the second annual Norman Music Festival. The music will play from 11 a.m. to midnight Saturday in downtown Norman. Information: 579-3693 or www.normanmusicfestival.com.
- GUTHRIE – Take in a carnival, arts and crafts show, parade, old-timey baseball game and rodeo at the 80th annual 89er Days in downtown. The activities started Tuesday and will continue through Saturday. Information: www.89erdays.com.
EDMOND – Pop-rock supergroup Tinted Windows, who just released their self-titled debut album Tuesday, will play Saturday at the University of Central Oklahoma. The show will be 8 p.m. Saturday at Plunkett Park on the UCO campus, 100 N University Drive. Information: www.ticketstorm.com or (866) 966-1777.
David Cook (Associated Press photo)
- TULSA – Hear “American Idol” winner and former Tulsan David Cook will play at 8 p.m. Saturday at the University of Tulsa. (The concert is reportedly sold out, so if you don’t have a ticket, you’re probably out of luck. Still, should be a great show.) Information: www.utulsa.edu/sa.
- See the new exhibit “Rethink: Recycle: Redesign” at Individual Artists of Oklahoma Gallery, 811 N Broadway. Gallery hours are noon to 8 p.m. Friday and noon to 5:30 p.m. Saturday. Information: www.iaogallery.org.
Dionne Randolph as Mufasa in “The Lion King.”
- Experience the “Circle of Life” at “The Lion King” performed at 8 p.m. Friday, 2 p.m. and 8 p.m. Saturday and 1:30 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. Sunday at the Civic Center Music Hall, 201 N Walker Ave. Information: 297-2584 or www.celebrityattractions.com.
- Listen to Micky & the Motorcars at 8 p.m. Saturday at the Wormy Dog Saloon, 311 E Sheridan. Information: www.wormydog.com.
- NORMAN - Catch comedian Ron White at 8 and 10 p.m. Friday at Riverwind Casino, 1544 W State Highway 9. Information: 322-6464 or www. riverwind.com.
-BAM
Thursday Festival of the Arts schedule
Pots are fired, and others await firing, at the Pottery Place at the 2008 Festival of the Arts. (Associated Press photo)
2009 Festival of the Arts schedule
The 43rd Annual Festival of the Arts will be today-Sunday in downtown Oklahoma City at the Festival Plaza, Stage Center and the Myriad Botanical Gardens. Hours are 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. today-Saturday and 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday. The event is a celebration of the visual, culinary and performing arts.
Admission is free. No pets are allowed.
For more information, call 270-4848 or go to www.artscouncilokc.com.
ThursdayCafé Stage
Singing Cyclones – Choral: 11 a.m.
Mustang Trails Honor Choir – Choral: noon
Kirkland Chorale – Choral: 12:30 p.m.
La Orquesta Cache – Salsa: 1 p.m.
Tierradentro – Colombian Vallenato: 2 p.m.
Contemporary Dance Oklahoma – Dance: 3 p.m.
Between the Devil and the Deep Blue Sea – Rock/Instrumental: 4 p.m.
The Unlikely Blues Band – Electric Blues: 5 p.m.
Random Order – Classic Rock: 6 p.m.
The Non – Experimental/Rock/Ambient: 7:30 p.m.
Children’s Stage
Shedeck Honor Choir – Choral: 11 a.m.
Classen SAS Jazz Ensemble – Jazz/Instrumental: noon
Lakeview Middle School Sixth- and Seventh-Grade Chorus – Choral: 1 p.m.
Deer Creek Praire Vale Elementary Honor Chorus – Choral: 1:30 p.m.
Mustang Centennial Elementary Choir – Choral: 2 p.m.
Rose State 15th Street Band – Instrumental: 3 p.m.
The Edmond Youth Chorus – Choral: 4 p.m.
Life Change Ballroom – Dance: 5 p.m.
“Festival Idol” Competition: 6 p.m.
Moore West Tiger Choir – Choral: 7:30 p.m.
Deck Stage
Broken Dream – Hard Rock: 11 a.m.
Martha Stallings – Vocal/Instrumental: noon
Robin & Jerry – Pop/Jazz: 1 p.m.
1daynow – Rock: 2 p.m.
Lost in Sin Singers – Gospel/Teaditional/Folk: 3 p.m.
ONG – Rock/Pop/Variety: 4 p.m.
Evan and Gracie Barry – Rock/Pop/Country: 5 p.m.
Brian McFarland – Traditional/Folk/Instrumental: 6 p.m.
Karissa Bradshaw Trio – Jazz: 7:30 p.m.
Water Stage
Live to Tell – Rock/Blues: 11 a.m.
Weapon – Rock: noon
Calico Rock – Rock: 1 p.m.
Rebecca Brock – Eclectic: 2 p.m.
Pauly Zarb – One-Man Variety Band: 3 p.m.
Blake O – Pop/Variety: 4 p.m.
On the Other Hand – Sign Language to Music: 5 p.m.
The Blue Chair Band – Rock/Pop/Variety: 6 p.m.
Walter Taylor III presents: Soul Skhool – A Musical Experience for the Whole Family – Motown Revue: 7:30 p.m.
-BAM
Wednesday Festival of the Arts schedule
Rory Morgan’s “Spring Arrival” is the official commissioned artwork of the 2009 Festival of the Arts.
The 2009 Festival of the Arts will be today-Sunday in downtown Oklahoma City at the Festival Plaza, Stage Center and the Myriad Botanical Gardens. Hours are 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. today-Saturday and 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday. The event is a celebration of the visual, culinary and performing arts.
Admission is free. No pets are allowed.
For more information, call 270-4848 or go to www.artscouncilokc.com.
Wednesday
Café Stage
Unity – Instrumental/Multi-Cultural: 11 a.m.
Aurora Sky – Modern Rock: noon
Oklahoma Seniors Cabaret – Variety: 1 p.m.
Joe Merrick – Country: 2 p.m.
Rick Toops Band – Blues/Rock: 3 p.m.
Christina Bender – Country: 4 p.m.
Dana Helms – Upside-Down Artist: 5 p.m.
The OkieStompers – Dance: 6 p.m.
Smilin Vic – Soul/Jazz/Blues: 7:30 p.m.
Children’s Stage
Dance Dimensions-US Grant HS – Dance: 11 a.m.
Mark Twain Percussion – Instrumental: noon
Hennessey Middle School Honor Choir – Choral: 1 p.m.
Fierce – Dance: 2 p.m.
Applause Studios – Dance: 3 p.m.
Flamenco Fantastico! Of Shannon Calderon-Primeau – Dance/Folk: 4 p.m.
Windsor Hills Honor Choir & Strings – Choral/Instrumental: 5 p.m.
“Festival Idol” Competition: 6 p.m.
Dance Dimensions – Dance: 7:30 p.m.
Deck Stage
Bill Boudreau – Pop/Traditional/Country: 11 a.m.
Mark Galloway – Variety: noon
N2: Featuring Casanova Brown – Motown/Blues/Jazz: 1 p.m.
Joel Forlenza – Jazz Standards/Pop: 2 p.m.
Simple Tree – Originals: 3 p.m.
CDS Jazz Band – Jazz: 4 p.m.
ZuZu’s Petals – Instrumental: 5 p.m.
Roe Sham Beau – Rock/Jazz: 6 p.m.
Sailor – Variety: 7:30 p.m.
Water Stage
Groundwork – Variety: 11 a.m.
Tom & Billy – Everly Brothers Music: noon
Beth Isbell – Rock/Blues: 1 p.m.
MetroTones – Pop/Variety: 2 p.m.
The Rose State Country Raiders – Country: 3 p.m.
Trademark Twitch – Rock: 4 p.m.
The Release – Rock: 5 p.m.
Michael King’s Total Equilibrium – Juggling/Unicycling/Magic: 6 p.m.
Rexall Rangers – Rock/Country: 7:30 p.m.
Tuesday Festival of the Arts schedule
Claire Shons of Oklahoma City decorates a bowl at the Pottery Place at the 2008 Festival of the Arts.
The 2009 Festival of the Arts will be today-Sunday in downtown Oklahoma City at the Festival Plaza, Stage Center and the Myriad Botanical Gardens. Hours are 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. today-Saturday and 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday. The event is a celebration of the visual, culinary and performing arts.Admission is free. No pets are allowed.
For more information, call 270-4848 or go to www.artscouncilokc.com.
Tuesday
Café Stage
Opening Ceremonies: 11 a.m.
Bricktown Clowns – Clowns: noon
Crazy Leg – Classic Rock: 1 p.m.
Lisa Curl & Friends – Indie Folk: 2 p.m.
David Dunn – Acoustic/Folk/Rock: 3 p.m.
Spiritful Voices Community Choir – Choral: 4 p.m.
The McTeggart Irish Dancers of Oklahoma – Dance: 5 p.m.
The Yippee Yi Yo Show – Pop/Variety: 6 p.m.
The Al Good Orchestra – Big Band: 7:30 p.m.
Children’s Stage
Davis Fourth- and Fifth-Grade Honor Choir – Choral: 11 a.m.
Katilee – Eclectic/Soul Originals: noon
Millwood Arts Academy – Dance/Choral: 1 p.m.
Capps Middle School Eighth-Grade Choir – Choral: 2 p.m.
Mustang Creek Elementary Mash Choir – Choral: 3 p.m.
Heartland Voices – Choral: 4 p.m.
Highland East Junior High Chorus – Choral: 5 p.m.
“Festival Idol” Competition: 6 p.m.
Sellers Dance Performing Group – Dance: 7:30 p.m.
Deck Stage
NO PERFORMANCES
Water Stage
Jerome Braggs – Harlem Renaissance-Style Jazz: noon
Acoustic Lighting – Traditional/Variety: 1 p.m.
The Renegades – Folk/Country Mix: 2 p.m.
Kelvin ‘Mr. Guitar’ Drake – Blues/Jazz: 3 p.m.
2nd Street – Rock: 4 p.m.
Mariachi Orgullo de America – Traditional/Folk: 5 p.m.
Lost and Found – Rock/Pop: 6 p.m.
Jackson’s Brew – Pop/Jazz/R&B: 7:30 p.m.
-BAM
What to do in Oklahoma on April 21
Amy Roberts and her daughter Layla Roberts of Yukon have some Taste of India food at the 2008 Festival of the Arts in Oklahoma City. (Photo by Jaconna Aguirre/The Oklahoman Archives)
Today’s featured event:
Take in the art, food, music, performing arts and more at the 43rd Annual Festival of the Arts in downtown Oklahoma City at Festival Plaza, Stage Center and the Myriad Botanical Gardens.
Festival hours are 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. today-Saturday and 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday.
For more information, go to www.artscouncilokc.com.
For more events, go to www.wimgo.com.
-BAM
Festival of the Arts schedule
The Classen SAS Jazz Ensemble performs at the 2008 Festival of the Arts. (Photo by Steve Sisney/The Oklahoman Archives)
2009 Festival of the Arts schedule
The 43rd Annual Festival of the Arts will be Tuesday-April 26 in downtown Oklahoma City at the Festival Plaza, Stage Center and the Myriad Botanical Gardens. Hours are 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Tuesday-April 25 and 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. April 26. The event is a celebration of the visual, culinary and performing arts.
Admission is free. No pets are allowed.
For more information, call 270-4848 or go to www.artscouncilokc.com.
Tuesday
Café Stage
Opening Ceremonies 11 a.m.
Bricktown Clowns – Clowns noon
Crazy Leg – Classic Rock 1 p.m.
Lisa Curl & Friends – Indie Folk 2 p.m.
David Dunn – Acoustic/Folk/Rock 3 p.m.
Spiritful Voices Community Choir – Choral 4 p.m.
The McTeggart Irish Dancers of Oklahoma – Dance 5 p.m.
The Yippee Yi Yo Show – Pop/Variety 6 p.m.
The Al Good Orchestra – Big Band 7:30 p.m.
Children’s Stage
Davis Fourth- and Fifth-Grade Honor Choir – Choral 11 a.m.
Katilee – Eclectic/Soul Originals noon
Millwood Arts Academy – Dance/Choral 1 p.m.
Capps Middle School Eighth-Grade Choir – Choral 2 p.m.
Mustang Creek Elementary Mash Choir – Choral 3 p.m.
Heartland Voices – Choral 4 p.m.
Highland East Junior High Chorus – Choral 5 p.m.
“Festival Idol” Competition 6 p.m.
Sellers Dance Performing Group – Dance 7:30 p.m.
Deck Stage
NO PERFORMANCES
Water Stage
Jerome Braggs – Harlem Renaissance-Style Jazz noon
Acoustic Lighting – Traditional/Variety 1 p.m.
The Renegades – Folk/Country Mix 2 p.m.
Kelvin ‘Mr. Guitar’ Drake – Blues/Jazz 3 p.m.
2nd Street – Rock 4 p.m.
Mariachi Orgullo de America – Traditional/Folk 5 p.m.
Lost and Found – Rock/Pop 6 p.m.
Jackson’s Brew – Pop/Jazz/R&B 7:30 p.m.
Festival of the Arts coming to downtown Oklahoma City
A wind sculpture spins at the 2008 Festival of the Arts. (Photo by Doug Hoke/The Oklahoman Archives)
From Friday’s Weekend Look section of The Oklahoman.
43rd annual Oklahoma City Arts Festival is a rite of spring for state’s artists
Sunshine and rain are mingling, yards and trees are turning green and tents are going up in downtown Oklahoma City.
Spring is invigorating the state, and for the 43rd year, Oklahomans will delight in the season with a mélange of art, music and food.
Preparations are underway for the Festival of the Arts, an annual celebration of visual, performing and culinary arts that starts Tuesday and continues through April 26. Produced by the Arts Council of Oklahoma City, the festival is a long-standing tradition that brings a bracing blend of beloved traditions and interesting new offerings every year.
“The Festival of the Arts is Oklahoma City’s rite of spring,” said Peter Dolese, executive director of Arts Council of Oklahoma City. “It’s just not spring without the Festival of the Arts.”
The event will include 144 artists from across the state and country who will sell and show work in a range of media, from paintings and photographs to jewelry and sculptures. Art lovers can explore annual attractions such as the Windscapes kinetic sculpture area, the large-scale Sculpture Garden and the variety of demonstrations at the Artful Experience mobile studios.
Another favorite offering is the Pottery Place, where people can buy and decorate raku pots. It’s not uncommon for the Pottery Place to sell out of pots by the end of the event, he said.
Children can get into the artistic spirit at the Youth Plaza, which includes the Young-At-Mart, where youngsters can buy original artwork; Creation Station, where they can help create a giant dragon sculpture; and the Arts After School Student Gallery, where they can see artwork by their peers.
The ever-changing South Hudson Gallery at the corner of Hudson and Reno offers a traditional gallery setting for art lovers, with indoor seating, cappuccino and imported beer. Festival Director Angela Cozby said this year’s exhibit is titled “Roads Less Traveled” guest curated by Jeff Stokes, director of Individual Artists of Oklahoma Gallery. “Roads Less Traveled” pairs emerging and established artists who work in similar media. It is the first time the gallery has promoted Oklahoma’s up-and-coming artists.
The festival also has four stages to showcase diverse performing artists, from school choirs and clowns to indie rockers and mariachi bands. Returning favorites include guitarist Edgar Cruz, the Al Good Orchestra and the “Festival Idol” youth talent contest.
“Throughout the duration of the event, we will have performances from open to close. You can catch a jazz band, there’s rock ‘n’ roll bands, there’s modern dance,” Cozby said.
In addition, festival-goers can find an array of culinary masterpieces on International Food Row, where local vendors partner with nonprofit arts organizations. Strawberries Newport, Indian tacos, cinnamon-roasted almonds and other festival staples will be on the menu, said Emily Reagan, Arts Council of Oklahoma City communications director.
But the event will feature some new restaurants and their tasty concoctions, such as Guinness Beef Barley Stew from TapWerks, stacked chicken enchiladas from Iguana Lounge and grilled bologna sandwiches from Jamil’s Steakhouse.
The trees at the Myriad Botanical Gardens won’t be the only green at this year’s festival: The event also will include new recycle bins for plastic water bottles, bike racks and a green fashion show of clothes made from recycled materials. These additions are the start of a five-year plan to turn the festival into an environmentally friendly event, Reagan said.
In addition, the festival’s Artist Row will have a different look this year, with new high-tech tents that bought with help from the Inasmuch Foundation. Reagan said the festive tents will offer more protection for the artists and their work from Oklahoma’s often adverse weather.
But organizers are hoping for pleasant weather for the festival.
“We usually have between 500,000 and 750,000 people,” Dolese said. “We hope and pray for good weather. Over 100,000 people a day will go through if the weather is really good.”
Going on
Festival of the Arts
When: 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Tuesday-April 25 and 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. April 26.
Where: Festival Plaza, Stage Center and the Myriad Botanical Gardens in downtown Oklahoma City.
Admission: Free. Pets are not allowed.
Information: 270-4848 or www.artscouncilokc.com.
-BAM
Video: Weekend Look Sneak Peek
Gene Triplett and I talk about the stories coming up in this week’s Weekend Look section of The Oklahoman. We’re spotlighting Zac Efron’s new movie “17 Again” and downtown Oklahoma City’s big Festival of the Arts on this week’s cover. Get a preview in this week’s Sneak Peek video.
-BAM
