ISSUE 19

Behind the Scenes

OKLAHOMA CITY is approaching a complete transformation in contemporary arts programming. Designed by architect Rand Elliott and realized by passionate art patrons, the new Oklahoma Contemporary Arts Center—set to open in downtown Oklahoma City on March 13, 2020, after thirty years at the State Fairgrounds—energizes Oklahoma as a leader for accessible, creative experiences. Here are the people who made it happen.

PHOTOGRAPHY BY Shevaun Williams

The building of the new Oklahoma Contemporary Arts Center has been a ten-year endeavor, spearheaded by Christian Keesee and led by dozens (if not hundreds) of community arts advocates. Eddie Walker, left, joined the team in 2019 as executive director and Jeremiah Matthew Davis, right, joined as artistic director in 2016. Here, we look at many of the key people involved in the efforts to build this exciting new regional arts center.

A group of people pose together in an industrial construction site — OKLAHOMA CONTEMPORARY ARTS CENTER BOARD OF TRUSTEES: Kim O'Connor, Rand Elliott, Louisa McCune, Lori Burson, Ann Johnstone, Elizabeth Eickman, James Pickel, Robert Clements, Mary Ellen Gumerson, Kelly Pipkin, Joan Maguire, Todd Edmonds, Christian Keesee, Julie Belfort, Glenna Tanenbaum, Melissa Scaramucci, Rachel Shortt, Amy Guzzy, Molly Tolbert, Marran Ogilvie, Amy Bankhead, Katie Blaik James, G. David Neff, Aimee Harlow, Kirsten Griffin, Philip Busey, Jr., Lindsey Miles, Dan Molina, Larry Ottaway, Joshua Fahrenbruck, Nathaniel Harding, Eli Hellman. NOT PICTURED: Kim Bruno, Tricia Everest, Kyle Impson, and Kyle Powell

a group of people pose sitting and standing around in front of shelves of books — THE EXHIBITIONS COMMITTEE: Elizabeth Eickman, Amy Guzzy, Rand Elliott, Jeremiah Davis, Chad Mount, Christian Keesee, John Seward, Joy Reed Belt, Pablo Barrera, Julia Kirt, Jennifer Scanlan, Kirsten Griffin, Melissa Scaramucci

a group of men pose together in an industrial setting — THE BUILDERS: Tyler Johnson, project manager, Smith & Pickel Construction; Hank Davis, foreman, Smith & Pickel Construction; Todd Edmonds, HSE Architects, co-chair of Oklahoma Contemporary Building Committee; Rand Elliott, Rand Elliott Architects, principal architect of Oklahoma Contemporary; Matt Thomas, Smith & Pickel Construction; James Pickel, founder, Smith & Pickel Construction; Bill Yen, architect, Rand Elliott Architects; Cody Pistulka, architect, Rand Elliott Architects

A group of colorfully but professionally dressed people pose together in an industrial setting — DEVELOPMENT: Katie Long, development officer; Jennifer Thurman, development director; Lauren Dow, development coordinator; Dan O’Donoghue, associate director of development; Meredith Downing, capital campaign manager; Alison Makipour, development assistant

A group of professionals pose together in a professional setting — OPERATIONS: Nicole Armitage, director of operations; Erin Hazelwood, events manager; Taylor Geldart, guest experience coordinator; Laura Rice, senior facilities manager; Wesley Dotson, volunteer coordinator and database manager; Ryn Russell, house and box office manager; Garrett Colton, guest experience and retail manager

A group of colorfully dressed people pose on a stairwell in an industrial setting — ARTISTS: Stephen Tyler, Chad Mount, Narciso Argüelles, Clint Stone, Skip Hill, Alyx Picard, Kelsey Karper

A group of colorfully dressed people pose together in an industrial setting — THE STUDIOS: Christine Gibson, manager of youth and family programs; Peter Coates, ceramics studio technician; Christina Beatty, manager of public programs and community engagement; David Stevens, manager of ceramics program and studio; Emily Burton, project manager; Blair Summers, coordinator of public programs; Kate Nickel, coordinator of Studio School

Three adults in professional dress stand behind an architect's desk in an industrial setting — COMMUNICATIONS: Vikki Penix, communications associate and board liaison; Luke Atkinson, communications manager, Lori Brooks, director of communications

I diverse group of children and adults pose in an industrial setting — CAMPERS AND INSTRUCTORS: Heather Akard, Calvin J. Pressley, Lance McDaniel, Ruby Butler, Nicole Aguilar, Caycee Lindsey, Danny Joe Rose, III, Lissie Teehee, Robert Bondaruk, Ethan Caldwell and Gibson Greenhaw, Oryan Jackson