Allied Arts

With the New Year fast approaching, it looks like Opening Night 2010 will be the weekend’s main event!  But don’t forget about what’s going on at the Museum of Art – the last weekend for a special exhibit and a film screening to start the New Year off right.

Opening Night 2010 – TONIGHT!
@ Arts Council of Oklahoma City
http://www.artscouncilokc.com/
You still have time to get 2-for-1 admission with your OKCityCard! See the Arts Council website for wristband sales locations.  With a scavenger hunt, performers, entertainment, restaurants and a fireworks finale, Opening Night is sure to be the biggest party in OKC!

The Dutch Italianates – Last weekend for this special exhibit!
@ Oklahoma City Museum of Art
http://www.okcmoa.com/
2-for-1 admission with OKCityCard

The New Year Parade, Film Screening – Saturday & Sunday
@ Oklahoma City Museum of Art
http://www.okcmoa.com/
2-for-1 admission with OKCityCard

Stay tuned for more arts events in 2010!  What are you looking forward to?

Are arts and athletics your thing? If so, the Thunder has a contest for you!

To celebrate Kevin Durant’s new Nike KD2 shoe design, the Thunder is holding a contest encouraging all budding artists to create their own pair of Thunder-inspired sneakers. The best entries from the adult and child categories will each win a pair of Durant’s Nike KD2s at the Dec. 16 game against the Dallas Mavericks.

Check out the Thunder’s Web site, thunder.nba.com, (or click here) for an entry form and template to create your unique design. Show-off (or should we say shoe-off?) your artsy side and get creative!

You’ll want to hurry…the design deadline is Jan. 16.

Also, beginning January 1, you can get 2-for-1 tickets to Loud City with your OKCityCard. So grab an OKCityCard, design your sneaker and head to the game to see the Thunder in action! www.okcitycard.com

Hi all,

We hope your holidays were wonderful!

What better way to get back into the swing of things, then by meeting Mabee-Gerrer Museum of Art? This museum is amazing for so many reasons, but my personal favorite is Tutu the mummy. You'll learn more about her below, but you can also check her out on Facebook (@Tutu Mummy). LOVE it!  

Name and Title: Dane Pollei, Director and Chief Curator
Organization Name: Mabee-Gerrer Museum of Art
Organization Phone Number and Web Site: 405-878-5300, www.mgmoa.org
 
Give us the gist of your organization, Twitter-style (that means 140 characters or less).
One of the oldest museums in Oklahoma, the Mabee-Gerrer Museum of Art has the broadest art collection showing 8,000 years of human expression. The Museum creates unique exhibitions, has an active schedule of lectures, classes, free community art days, teacher training programs, and school programs.

What does your organization bring to Central Oklahoma? 
The Museum brings the world to Oklahoma through an art collection featuring works from ancient Egypt, medieval and Renaissance artwork, American and European paintings, Oriental, Native American, African and contemporary works of art.

Last year, the Mabee-Gerrer worked with more than 7,300 K-12 students. Schools visited from throughout central Oklahoma and from as far away as Talihina and Ringling. Scholars and artists from throughout the United States regularly work with the Mabee-Gerrer Museum of Art.

The Museum’s arts integration teacher training uses the permanent collection to provide central Oklahoma teachers with unique ways to meet state curriculum objectives in art, history, science, language arts and social studies.

The Egyptian collection is considered one of, if not the, finest of its kind between Chicago and Los Angeles. The medieval and renaissance holdings are also unique to our state.  Interns come from virtually all the area universities and from as far away as the University of Toronto. Several of our interns have gone on to very prominent positions in the museum profession. 

List a few things that your organization is looking forward to in the coming year.
The Mabee-Gerrer Museum of Art was selected to host the exhibition “Ancient Bronzes of the Asian Grasslands from the Arthur M. Sackler Foundation” from January 23 to March 28, 2010. On Friday, January 29th, Dr. Trudy Kawami, Director of Research for the Sackler Foundation will talk about this unique culture in a lecture that is free to the public.

The Museum has support from several generous donors to offset the cost of admission to Oklahoma schools and home school groups as well as a limited number of busing grants so we hope to continue or even increase the number of students visiting the Museum.

How can people get involved with your organization?
People can volunteer, become members, attend workshops or community art days, enroll their kids in After School Art or our summer camps, and visit the Mabee-Gerrer Museum of Art. You can visit www.mgmoa.org to learn more.

Anyone on Facebook can become a fan of the Museum’s page or if you want to have even more fun, you can become a friend of Tutu, the mummy at the Mabee-Gerrer Museum of Art. Tutu shares information about her life and times, fun activities for families and educators, and updates you on current Egyptian research and activities at the Mabee-Gerrer Museum of Art. She’s got lots of friends but welcomes more!

Name your favorite piece of art or art performance.
My favorite artwork seems to change almost every time I walk through the Mabee-Gerrer Museum galleries or storage area (95% of the collection is in storage.) I have to admit that right now my favorite painting is the Museum’s most recent major acquisition, “Portrait of Michele Surbano, Venetian Ambassador,” by the late renaissance master Tintoretto. The painting was donated to the Museum by Gene and Cheryl Melton of Oklahoma City this past October. It is a great addition to our Renaissance collection. The painting would be a welcome addition to the collection of the Met, the National Gallery, Art Institute or any major museum as there are very few Tintoretto’s in the United States. The fact that it will remain in Oklahoma and be seen by thousands of residents, tourists and school kids makes it very special.

My favorite performance piece is a modern dance commission called “Dream Child Dancing” by Rebecca Stenn and her company. I’m also very impressed with the dance program at St. Gregory’s University in Shawnee. Students majoring in dance are part of the Spirit and Soul Dance Ensemble under the direction of Liz Reiter. It is one of the best small modern dance programs I’ve seen and their performances are wonderful.

Which artist would you most like to meet?
There are so many that it’s hard to decide. I would love to have met Kathe Kollwitz.  She truly believed that art was for everyone and should promote human rights and social justice.

Of course, I would also like to have met Fr. Gregory Gerrer, O.S.B., the Benedictine monk who was the artist and scholar who helped the monks of St. Gregory’s Abbey establish the Mabee-Gerrer Museum of Art. He had the opportunity in the early 20th century to travel extensively in the United States and throughout the world. His dream was to establish a museum for all Oklahomans who didn’t have that opportunity. All of the items originally selected for the collection, then and now, have been selected because of their quality and ability to teach people about our world. The Mabee-Gerrer Museum of Art is a nonprofit organization that holds that mission of artistic quality and education as our core value.

Because I’m so familiar with the collection, and I have met many of the Benedictine monks that knew Fr. Gerrer, I feel that in some way I have met him.

Metropolitan School of Dance is one great organization! MSDI instructors teach dance and exercise to so many Oklahoma City students (the young and ... not as young). We're thrilled to support the great work that they do.

Name and Title: Fran Pitts, Executive Director
Organization Name: Metropolitan School of Dance, Incorporated (MSDI)
Organization Phone Number and Web Site: 405-236-5026
 
Give us the gist of your organization, Twitter-style (that means 140 characters or less).
Classical dance training in ballet, Pointe, modern, African, tap and jazz to students ages 3 to adult in the Greater Oklahoma City area

What does your organization bring to Central Oklahoma?
Affordable quality dance instruction open to all who are interested during both the fall and spring sessions as well as summer dance programming

List a few things that your organization is looking forward to in the coming year.
We are looking forward to reaching more young people in the NE quadrant of Oklahoma City with added community outreach instruction, coupled with new experiences of engaging our community in the art of dance. 

How can people get involved with your organization?
Become a patron!  Support MSDI programming to at-risk youth by giving financially or by volunteering at key fundraisers or in house programming

Name your favorite piece of art or art performance. 
At our organization, my answer is “Lamba.” Outside of MSDI, I enjoyed Alvin Aileys’ “Revelations.”

Which artist would you most like to meet? Debbie Allen

On December 15, Allied Arts shared the power of arts and culture with members of Rotary Club 29 at the club’s weekly meeting at the Petroleum Club.

Allied Arts’ presentation began with live performances from several of its member agencies.  O.K. City Chorus and Canterbury Choral Society members greeted Rotarians with holiday carols, while Cimarron Opera’s “Opera Idol” winner, Audra Faust, led the club in the National Anthem. Throughout the program, Rotarians also enjoyed a performance from Oklahoma City Ballet dancer Audrey Johnston and Glen Thomas, of City Arts Center, created a bust of Rotarian Meg Salyer, during the meeting.

In addition to allowing Rotarians to see, hear and experience the arts, Allied Arts’ presentation included speeches from business and community leaders highlighting the need for strong support for the arts in Central Oklahoma.  Mark Funke, Lyn Adams and Linda Haneborg each spoke about the impact of the arts on business and economics, quality of life and educational development.  Haneborg and Allied Arts board chairman, Ann Johnstone informed the club of Allied Arts’ upcoming annual fundraising campaign and encouraged each member to get involved. Johnstone also recognized Judy Love along with her husband, Tom Love, as the 2010 Campaign Honorary Chairs.

With so many speeches and performances, it is hard to pick one presentation highlight; however one agenda item certainly got a lot of attention. To serve as a presentation ice breaker, Allied Arts challenged three club members to try their hands at different arts activities while being filmed. Under the direction of skilled artists, City Councilwoman Meg Salyer tried her hand at sculpting, Rotary President Jeff Simpsen received a Philharmonic cello lesson and Rotary President-Elect Clayton Taylor donned tights and ballet slippers for a dance with the Oklahoma City Ballet.

In addition to providing the audience with comic relief, the video showcased the talent of several Allied Arts member agencies and illustrated the power of arts education. To see the “Allied Arts Challenge” visit Allied Arts’ YouTube channel at http://www.youtube.com/user/AlliedArtsOKC.



Allied Arts President Deborah McAuliffe Senner with Rotary President Jeff Simpsen and loyal Allied Arts supporters and board members Mark Funke and Linda Haneborg.



City Arts Center sculptor Glen Thomas with the bust of Meg Salyer that he created during the presentation!

This weekend, give yourself a break from shopping and baking and take in one of these arts activities.  You know you want to!  Once again, the OKCityCard discounts are listed where they apply.  Don't have a CityCard? Ask Santa to throw one in your stocking!

Christmas Eve Concert
@ Ambassadors' Concert Choir
http://www.ambassadorschoir.org/

Tom, Dick & Harry
@ Carpenter Square Theatre – LAST WEEKEND!
2-for-1 admission
http://www.carpentersquare.com/

Donald G Longcrier Exhibit and UCO Design Graduating Student Show
@ City Arts Center
http://www.cityartscenter.org/

Third Sunday Song Swap
@ IAO
http://iaogallery.org/

The Nutcracker
@ Oklahoma City Ballet – LAST WEEKEND!
2-for-1 or 50% off single admission
http://www.okcballet.com/

The Couch Lounge
@ Oklahoma City Museum of Art – Thursday
$5 after 5 p.m.!
http://www.okcmoa.com/

L Orfeo – Opera in HD
@ Oklahoma City Museum of Art – Thursday
http://www.okcmoa.com/

The Conversation and Tetro – Film Screenings
@ Oklahoma City Museum of Art
2-for-1 admission
http://www.okcmoa.com/

Opening Night
@ Arts Council of Oklahoma City, December 31
2-for-1 admission
http://www.artscouncilokc.com/

Don’t forget that it’s your last weekend to be a part of a holiday tradition at The Nutcracker! And if you’re looking forward to New Year’s Eve, go ahead and buy your tickets to Opening Night.  They’re 2-for-1 with your OKCityCard!

On the heels of a successful and beautiful Christmas concert, Canterbury Choral Society certainly deserves a standing ovation on our blog. We hope you enjoy getting to know the group via the questions below...and we hope you buy tickets to see them at their next performance in April.

Name and Title: Jason Edward Grife, Development Manager
Organization Name: Canterbury Choral Society
Organization Phone Number and Web Site: 405-232-SING (7464) www.canterburyokc.com

Give us the gist of your organization, Twitter-style (that means 140 characters or less). Canterbury is the premier choral arts organization of Oklahoma, providing performance and education opportunities for over 40 years.

What does your organization bring to Central Oklahoma?
Canterbury connects our community through music by providing experiences to lift the spirit. Whether it is our large masterwork concerts, guest artists, the tradition of Canterbury Christmas, or our Canterbury Youth Choruses education programming, we offer a chance for everyone to be a part of the music.

As one of the largest volunteer choruses in the United States, Canterbury has had the distinction of working with such famous artists as Kelli O’Hara and Leona Mitchell, premiering works by Dominick Argento and Stephen Paulus, and being the host chorus for the Oklahoma City Centennial Celebration and American Choral Directors Association National Conference in 2009.

Canterbury knows collaboration is key for the future of all arts organization and is proud to work closely with the Oklahoma City Philharmonic and other various performance groups, as well as being an active member of Allied Arts.

List a few things that your organization is looking forward to in the coming year.
We are looking forward to hosting renowned opera singer Sarah Coburn, collaborating with the Oklahoma Philharmonic on Beethoven’s 9th, the annual Canterbury Youth Choruses Summer Camp, and our 2010-2011 season opener, Mendelssohn’s Elijah

How can people get involved with your organization? Currently, we have nearly 140 volunteer singers in the Adult Chorus and over 60 students in our Canterbury Youth Choruses. Auditions are held each fall for both the adult and children’s programming.

For ticket information, or to find out other ways you can support this unique choral arts organization, visit www.canterburyokc.com or call 405-232-SING (7464).

Name your favorite piece of art or art performance.
Canterbury has had the opportunity to perform music ranging from madrigals to large choral masterworks and famous opera choruses to Broadway classics. With such a diverse pallet of music, it is hard to just pick one.

Some favorites include Orff’s Carmina Burana, Beethoven’s 9th, Bach’s Mass in B minor, and Dona nobis pacem by Vaughn Williams.

Which artist would you most like to meet?
J.S. Bach. After successfully conquering and touring in the Spring of 2009 with his Mass in B minor, the chorus has come to love and respect him as a composer.

Art is the only way to run away without leaving home.

- Twyla Tharp

I’m sure you’ve all heard about Lyric Theatre’s spectacular summer performances and Lyric at the Plaza, but did you know that this musical theatre company travels to schools across the state to bring the magic of musicals to students? This year, Lyric Theatre is performing “1776,” a musical that is based on the events leading to the writing and signing of the Declaration of Independence.

Allied Arts sponsors this fun educational outreach program for Lyric Theatre. We received so many awesome thank you notes from students that we had to share a few of them with you!

This student says, “Thank you very much Mrs. Deborah McAuliffe Senner! I really liked the play! I hope you do more!”

“Thank you for the play. It was a good play. It taught me a lot of stuff. I would like you to come again,” says another child.

Just in case the text is too small to read – “Thank you so so much!! I loved it please come again.” This student said “1776” rocks!!

To learn more about Lyric Theatre, visit http://lyrictheatreokc.com/.

Here is your Ticket Thursday update one day late!  So sorry for missing a day – I hope you left some free time in your schedule for taking in one of these holiday shows!  Once again, the fabulous OKCityCard offers are listed with each performance. 

Bah Humbug & A Christmas Carol
@ Oklahoma Children’s Theatre, thru December 13
2-for-1 admission
http://www.oklahomachildrenstheatre.org/

The Nutcracker
@ Oklahoma City Ballet, December 11 – 13 & 18 – 20
2-for-1 or 50% off single admission
http://www.okcballet.com/

An A Capella Christmas Carol
@ OK City Chorus, December 13
2-for-1 admission
http://www.okcity.org/

Opening Night
@ Arts Council of Oklahoma City, December 31
2-for-1 admission
http://www.artscouncilokc.com/

Our agencies have some great un-holiday events happening as well:

Tom, Dick & Harry
@ Carpenter Square Theatre, thru December 19
2-for-1 admission
http://www.carpentersquare.com/

Donald G Longcrier Exhibit and UCO Design Graduating Student Show
@ City Arts Center
http://www.cityartscenter.org/

The September Issue – Film Screening
@ Oklahoma City Museum of Art
2-for-1 admission
http://www.okcmoa.com/