Honoring the Best

On November 25, 2024, a black-tie dinner at Oklahoma Contemporary Art Center honored the inaugural class of Kirkpatrick Medal awardees. Inspired by Kirkpatrick Foundation co-founder Eleanor Kirkpatrick and her daughter Joan Kirkpatrick, the Kirkpatrick Medal recognizes select individuals who have dedicated their lives to the arts, culture, education, animal wellbeing, environmental conservation, or historic preservation. This year’s awardees included, respectively: artist, arts advocate, teacher, and museum director Nan Sheets (posthumously); Governor Bill Anoatubby of the Chickasaw Nation; music educator Angela McKenna; wildlife photographer Harvey Payne; Ed Brocksmith, co-founder of Save the Illinois River; and Melvena Heisch, deputy state historic preservation officer (retired).