The Oklahoma Sky Is Falling, But Art Will Be Our Umbrella.

ArtNow

Showing with Free Admission through January 22

ArtNow Party on Friday, January 22

VIP Reception, Tickets: $150 6:30 p.m.

General Admission, Tickets: $75 8 p.m.

Young Patron (ages 21-40), Tickets: $50 8 p.m.

Oklahoma Contemporary

3000 General Pershing Blvd. in OKC

oklahomacontemporary.org

Alright gang, huddle up. I’m talking to the Paseo Bohemians and the Plaza Cool Kids. Also the Triangle Of Death Rockers, the Uptown Barflies, the Midtown Idealists. And I’m not forgetting about the Film Row Pioneers and the Brass Bell Outliers. And you, the Norman Leftists and the Suburban Satellite Creatives, we need everyone in on this. Let’s not forget the patrons. Never forget the patrons. Whether corporate, private, or public, we’re gonna make room for everyone to squeeze in because you guys have been really, really great.

Everybody cozy? Can you hear me alright, Southsiders? Great.

It’s been a good run, everyone. No, fuck that. It’s been a GREAT run. If you’re an artist, entrepreneur, restaurateur, or just an optimistic chance-taker, Oklahoma City has been the place to be. No more Austin envy for us. The coastal hubs are great and all, but if you want to try something new and dangerous, there’s no better place than home. The level of talent in this city is astonishing and we’ve come into our own thanks to the unwavering support of some amazing people like Peter Dolese, Stephen Kovash, Julia Kirt, and Kelsey Karper. A lot of heroes have been pushing art in this town for a very long time and now we’ve got an opportunity to do something big. Don’t believe me? Go see ArtNow at the Oklahoma Contemporary building. It’s a small glimpse of the wide pool of professional talent in this state who are doing distinctive and brazen work. If you don’t run into at least three things in the group exhibit that leave you awed, then I will kiss you square in the mouth.

And if you throw down money for any of the excellent pieces at ArtNow, I will also kiss you square in the mouth.  Or not. Whatever get’s your wallet open. This fundraiser keeps Oklahoma Contemporary’s exhibits free, which is pretty incredible considering how much amazing art goes in and out of that building.

So, we’re blessed to be in Oklahoma. How weird is that to say? But it’s true. I grew up here but never thought thought I was gonna stay, let alone be thankful as hell that I never moved.

Yet, it’s not all popsicles and good times. We’ve got some troubles coming. Oil prices have fallen dangerously low and we have politicians hinting that the best way out of this mess is to start another war in the Middle East(please vote). The governmental mismanagement of our state is also no longer cute and laughable like a child who doesn’t know how to use a cell phone. It’s frightening like a child who found its father’s loaded pistol. This is going to trickle down. It’s gonna touch all of us so we need to figure out what we’re gonna do.

Don’t worry, though. I’ve got a plan and it’s pretty simple:

GO BIGGER!

Romy Owens just knitted a cozy for a building! No foolin’. A real building that real people can walk inside of! So, not one of you has an excuse. Artists, painters, movie makers, storytellers, whoever, do you have a big idea that you’d kept on the shelf because the timing was never right? Well, now is the time. Oklahoma will survive this latest challenge to our economy, education, and pride. It’ll hurt a bit, but this isn’t going to be another Oil Bust.

Unless we let it. And how will we let it? We panic, that’s how.

So, let’s change the conversation. Tired of hearing about brutal budget cuts and mass layoffs? Erect a statue out of something bizarre and beautiful. Make a comic book about your grandmother who survived the Dustbowl with nothing but grit, sewing thread, and honeybees. Write a concept album, put on an original play. Don’t worry about the money, just get a second job or maybe quite drinking until you’ve saved enough to pay for the project outright. Just make it happen.



And, patrons, we’re gonna need you to keep buying and to keep showing up to the exhibits, concerts, and performances. We need you to keep throwing your money where your heart is. I know it’s scary right now, but this will pass. It must. So, stay focused, stay in the game, and keep supporting the things that make you love this city.