Allied Arts

On Saturday night, I attended IAO’s Out of Sight exhibit opening reception. The premise of the exhibit was beyond cool – all of the art work needed to be bold and/or tactical, as to allow visually impaired people the chance to experience the different pieces.

IAO partnered with the Oklahoma League for the Blind to ensure the exhibit was appropriate and sensitive to the needs of visually impaired people. For example, each art work’s write-up (you know, the little explanation they put beside the art) was accessible through three senses – touch (Braille), sight (text) and sound (a cell phone tour).

I have to say that I got a little emotional during the event. In the short time I was there, I saw several visually impaired people experiencing the art, primarily through touch. I thought – how cool that they can come in here and touch anything and everything, something that is usually so taboo in art spaces? And that got me thinking…without exhibits like this, visually impaired people are limited to only certain art forms. I was so thankful to Jeff Stokes (IAO director) and his crew for helping to make art accessible to all.

Check out my photos below.


A shot of some of the gallery space.
All the art work is black and white to ensure the most contrast possible for easier viewing for those with low vision.


I thought this piece was cool.
Every bit of it was drawn with words from a Grateful Dead song.


And here’s a pic of me sitting on the “Throned” piece of art work. It is a refurbished rocking chair with Braille on the arms and head phones (a well-rounded arts experience).

Check out www.iaogallery.org for more information. The Out of Sight exhibit will be up through Friday, November 6^th and it’s free!

After taking a slight hiatus, Allied Arts is back blogging with a commitment to more frequent updates. You can count on us to give you the scoop on OKC’s cultural community, as well as keep you informed about the coolest upcoming arts events.

To keep you on your toes (ballet pun), we’ll be offering giveaways to our most loyal readers. We hope you’ll include us on your RSS feed – and take a quick work break to check us out often!
 
And just to introduce ourselves, your main bloggers will be Bailey Gordon and Lindsay McIntyre (although our entire team will contribute to posts at times).

Now on with the show…

Connect with the arts community by using Allied Arts’ OKCityCard! June brings some extra-special deals and events you won’t want to miss!

This weekend is one you won’t want to miss as the Arts Council of Oklahoma City presents its Twilight Concert Series on Sunday nights from 7-8:30pm at the Myriad Botanical Gardens. These concerts will showcase amazing talents in so many different genres ranging from rock and pop to funk and jazz.

Individual Artists of Oklahoma (IAO) is holding its 31^st Annual Juried Show, FIBERWORKS 2009. At this exhibition, you’ll have the opportunity to view and experience artwork from artists from across the state.  The exhibit features an eclectic mix of weaving, needlework, basketry, art quilting, felted work, paper, and other works primarily constructed of fiber. The event takes place at IAO Gallery located at 811 N. Broadway on Historic Automobile Alley, Downtown OKC. Use your OKCityCard to receive 20% off the event. Check out www.iaogallery.org for more details.

Get ready for a summer time musical extravaganza! School’s out and the Wildcats are back for an all new adventure. Lyric Theatre is proud to follow-up the smash hit production of Disney’s High School Musical with the professional Oklahoma premiere of the highly anticipated sequel—Disney’s High School Musical 2. Join Troy, Gabriella, Sharpay, Ryan and the rest of the East High gang as they dive into the enchanted world of Lava Springs Country Club and put their talent to the ultimate test!  Get your tickets early and make sure to use your OKCityCard for 50% off admission on a matinee (Limit 4 tickets). Before you head to the show visit Iron Starr Urban BBQ and receive 15% off with your OKCityCard.

Help Oklahoma Shakespeare in the Park celebrate its 25^th summer season by viewing its production of “As You Like It.”  Pack a picnic and enjoy this beloved Shakespearean comedy at the Myriad Gardens Water Stage.  Present your CityCard for 2-for-1 or 50% off single admission.  Visit Brown’s Bakery with your OKCityCard for 10% off the goodies in your picnic basket.

Using your OKCityCard helps maintain Oklahoma City’s thriving culture, so thank you for being a valuable contributor to the fun and excitement our city offers.
  

Enjoy the exciting summer events of Central Oklahoma brought to you by our 20 member agencies!

Experience ARTS COUNCIL's free TWILIGHT CONCERT SERIES on Sunday nights from 7-8:30 p.m. at the Myriad Botanical Gardens on these dates:

June 7: Built For Speed (rock)
June 14: Edgar Cruz (classical guitar)
June 21: Michael Fracasso (Folk/Acoustic)
June 28: Stephen Speaks (Acoustic/Pop/Rock)
July 12: Kerry Wayne (Old School/Jazz)
July 19: Marcy Priest (Indie/Rock)
July 26: Good Company (Variety)
August 2: Chris Hicks Jazz Band (Variety/Jazz)
August 9: J. Echols (Jazz/Standards)
August 16: Junebug Spade (Rock/Experimental)
August 23: C-Plus (Funk/Pop)
August 30: Lost at Sea (Indie/Pop/Rock)

Attend CANTERBURY CHORAL SOCIETY's annual Masquerade Ball on June 6 at the Skirvin. "An Evening at Versailles" will include a silent auction featuring a Smart Car and a Baby Grand Piano! Hurry up and buy your tickets before it is too late!  For more information, call 232-7464.

Don't miss CARPENTER SQUARE THEATRE's THE CLEAN HOUSE. The last performance is on June 6. If you can't make it, don't worry! Their next production, THE LITTLE DOG LAUGHED (for mature audiences only),runs from June 26 through July 18.  For more information, call 232-6500.

CIMARRON OPERA COMPANY's THOMAS CAREY GALA in Sharp Concert Hall is on August 29 from 8-10 p.m. Their OPERA THEATRE CAMP begins June 8-July 3, Monday - Friday from 1-5 p.m., with performances on the last two days.   For more information, call 364-8962.

CITY ARTS CENTER has a lot of great summer arts classes for all ages. Check them out on their website! Also, MIDNIGHT STREAK is on July 25. The 1 MILE race begins at 10:30 p.m. and the 5K begins at 11:00 p.m.  For more information, call 951-0000.

Enjoy IAO's several exhibits this summer.

June 5 & 6: 8th Annual Biting the Apple "Redefining Red: Explore the Color of Eros."
June 12-July 3: Fiberworks 2009 Exhibit
July 18: 24 Works on Paper Exihibit with OVAC
July 11: Rally on the Alley from 7-11 p.m., an annual fundraiser that celebrates classic scooters and scooter related art
For more information, call 232-6060.

Don't miss out on LYRIC THEATRE's five productions this summer at the Civic Center!
June 25-28: Disney's High School Musical 2
July 7-11: The Music Man
July 21-25: Joseph & the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat
August 4-8: The Producers
August 18-22: Little Shop of Horrors
For more information, call 524-9310.

Enroll your children and yourself in MABEE-GERRER MUSEUM OF ART's (Shawnee) summer art classes!
For more information, call 878-5300.

OKLAHOMA CHILDREN'S THEATRE has two great plays for your children going on this summer! They play at 10 a.m. and 12 p.m. (noon).
June 17-21: Cinderella
August 5-9: Aladdin
For more information, call 606-7003.

OK CITY CHORUS is performing at Hafer Park on June 4 from 7:15-8:30 p.m. Don't miss this one!
For more information, call 720-7464.

OKLAHOMA CITY MUSEUM OF ART opens their new exhibit TURNER TO CEZANNE:Masterpieces from the Davies Collection, National Museum Wales" on June 25, and it will be there until September 20. Everyone should check this one out!
For more information, call 236-3100.

OKLAHOMA SHAKESPEARE IN THE PARK has their Young Company Theatre Classes from July 13-24 at Oklahoma City University. They also have four plays throughout the summer at the Myriad Gardens Water Stage, Thursdays-Saturdays starting at 8 p.m.
June 18-July 11: As You Like It
July 16-July 25: Misalliance by George Bernard Shaw
July 30-August 22: Hamlet
August 27-September 5: Twelfth Night
For more information, call 235-3700.

PRAIRIE DANCE THEATRE's annual FUNDRAISING GALA is on June 27 at 6:30 p.m. There will be cocktails, dinner and a classroom demonstration! Get your tickets today!
For more information, call 424-2249.

Explore the mystery and magic of science during SCIENCE MUSEUM OKLAHOMA's BRIGHT NIGHTS from 6:00 p.m until 8:30 a.m.

June 19th: Bright Night of Science
July 17th: Bright Night of Harry Potter
August 7th: Bright Night of Science

They also have six weeks of summer camp beginning on June 22. You can do one week or participate in all six! Just enroll a week before the camp begins. The camps are for first through sixth graders from 9am-4pm.
For more information, call 602-6644.

Please check out  the link below to view a video produced by Distinctly Oklahoma about our kick-off event.  Thank you, Distinctly Oklahoma!

http://www.distinctlyoklahoma.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=317&Itemid=65

Connect with the arts community by using Allied Arts’ OKCityCard! February brings some extra-special deals and events you won’t want to miss!

 

Charlie and the Chocolate Factory cannot be compared to the Firehouse Art Center’s Chocolate Festival! This annual fundraising event features nearly 40 chocolate vendors and takes place Friday, February 7 from 10:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Norman North High School. Advance tickets are available at the Firehouse Art Center, and with your OKCityCard receive 10% off single admission to the 1:00 and 1:30 tickets or 10% off items in the gift shop/gallery. Don’t miss out on your chance for the ultimate chocolate experience – you’ll get 10 chocolate samples with your ticket!

 

For some fun on Valentine’s Day weekend, start your evening at The Metro Wine Bar & Bistro. Enjoy perusing an extensive wine list and with your OKCityCard you can get a free dessert with the purchase of an entrée. Afterwards, head to the Civic Center Music Hall for Oklahoma City Ballet’s production of Robert Mills’ Paris Rouge, a recreation of Moulin Rouge that showcases the exuberance that has captured audiences for years. Performances are February 13 and 14 at 8:00 p.m. Get 2-for-1 tickets or 50% off single admission with your OKCityCard.

 

Brush up on your history at the Oklahoma City Museum of Art’s Harlem Renaissance exhibit. Opening February 5 and running through April 19, this exhibit will feature more than 100 paintings, sculptures and photographs that highlight the impact of African American art of the 1920s and 1930s. Harlem Renaissance marks the first exhibition of African American art at the museum in more than 20 years; so don’t miss this milestone! Use your OKCityCard to receive 2-for-1 admission to the museum.  gallery and films, which will also get you into the exhibit.

 

If you’re in the mood for a great story or just a fun-filled evening, check out The Arts Council of Oklahoma City’s WinterTales Storytelling Festival Friday, February 6 at the Stage Center. The festivities begin at 8:00 p.m. WinterTales celebrates the art of storytelling with performances by some of the nation's best tellers, including crowd favorite Donald Davis. Use your OKCityCard to purchase tickets online at www.artscouncilokc.com or by calling 405-270-4848, and receive 2-for-1 admission. Before the show, spice up your evening with some Mexican fanfare at Iguana Mexican Grill, located in historic Automobile Alley. With your OKCityCard, you’ll receive free queso with the purchase of an entrée!

 

Using your OKCityCard helps maintain Oklahoma City’s thriving culture, so thank you for being a valuable contributor to the fun and excitement our city offers.

Desmond Mason will appear in the 2009 Campaign Video and make his case why art matters to him.  The OKC Thunder was very gracious to the Allied Arts staff.  The video will premiere during the Campaign Kick-off on January 22.  Below are pictures from the shoot.

Allied Arts Donor Testimony

Arts agencies always struggle to have adequate funding and this will be particularly so as our local economy responds to lower oil prices and other factors.

We increased our contribution to Allied Arts this year because we know that a vibrant arts community is essential to a strong city. Arts agencies can’t be at their best when they have to ramp their budgets up and down significantly from year to year.

Carl Shortt, Allied Arts Donor