Oklahoma Contemporary

Please patronize this spot! They bring great art and life to the downtown area!It was much larger than we realized and we didn't even get to see it all when we stopped!Can't wait for our next visit!

Came here for the W3 event held by OEDA. Super cool place to come to for events or to check out the current art work available. The employees are super friendly and helpful, and the W3 event was beautifully done this year. Can't wait for next year!

First, everyone here was so welcoming, kind, and engaging! I really felt like they wanted me here! Second, it's free! But please make a donation if you can.One exhibit was a collective of five oklahoma artists, particularly people of color/black people/first American people. I really enjoyed this exhibit, and it was refreshing to see it in Oklahoma, a place not always know for its diversity.The larger exhibit, a nature series by John Newsom, was impressive. Many large, imposing pieces of nature, colorful and impactful. Big cats, wolves, avian species, insects, reptiles, bison, and more. All beautiful, visually stimulating.I was so glad I made time to stop here.

Don't expect way out there no one understands funky. It's the right amount of make you think and consider. And don't be put off by the white expanse either. Ask questions to the multitude of people there to assist. It's not pretentious but surprisingly inviting. Took the kids and they enjoyed it as well. The exhibits change every few months so make sure you visit!

Oklahoma Contemporary was a nice way for us to spend a couple of hours. They are a free museum, however, due to COVID, timed tickets are required. During our visit, they had "Open World: Video games and contemporary art" exhibit. Art that was based on games that I grew up playing. Some of it was interactive where you could play. They have a cafe for refreshments and a gift shop for art. I could of spent more than a couple hours, but, had more places that I needed to see in OKC.

I realized recently that it was just an absolutely insane to think about the fact that a world-class museum had opened in our city and I hadn't made time to go yet. And then, to think about the fact that one of my favorite artists on the planet has his first-ever solo show in Oklahoma at said museum. I was berating myself, and then I remembered the pandemic and cut myself some slack. But I truly just could not wait any longer. An amazing building, full of amazing art has sprung from the ground, and I just couldn't wait any longer to feel connected to it. I booked my time to see the Ed Ruscha online (galleries are always free); I booked last Monday to go this Friday, and there were only a few times left, so plan accordingly. When I arrived, I could not have felt more safe. When I was in the exhibit, there were only a few folks in there. Me, a group of four elderly folks, and two or three docents. Since this gallery took up most of one floor, you can imagine how socially distant we were. When I was there, I felt like my old self and I felt like someone who can see the future. For one of the first times since the pandemic began, I can see that life will in fact return to normal. We'll see one act plays and live readings and hear from artists and curators in the amazing black box theatre (with what has to be the world's largest ring light). We'll see dancers perform graceful feats of athleticism in the studio space and wonder how their bodies can defy gravity. We'll buy expensive tickets to a fundraiser to help raise money for future incredible shows. We'll valet, we'll eat hors d'oeuvres and sip cocktails. We'll see people we love and want to catch up with... and we'll see people we hope don't spot us and will keep on walking. We'll drink too much and stay out too late. We'll be out and about together again, and this time we'll have the Oklahoma Contemporary as part of the fabric of this pretty little city. We'll stand, mouth agape, wondering how someone could have known how to make such an incredible work of art, how to get into our heads like that. We'll forget for a moment about the pandemic and all the ways it changed our lives forever. I know this last part is true, because it has already happened to me.

The museum was spacious, clean, and bright. There was a variety of contemporary art displayed, and all the staff I met were friendly and helpful. The museum is very COVID-conscious as well, and there are hand sanitizing stations spread out throughout the various exhibits. The best part about this museum was the arts and crafts rooms downstairs, where kids and adults could freely use various craft supplies to create and invent things. When I was there, there were several families deeply invested in creating various tools and projects. What a great idea to encourage kids (and adults) to use their imaginations!

Thank you Oklahoma Contemporary for bringing visual and performing art into our lives! The exhibits are wonderful! Thank you SOOOOO much for having the online Friday Night Workshops! It's such a fun way to share experiences with friends and family while staying safe in our own homes. A lot of creativity and thoughtfulness goes into each session. Most of all, Thank You For Being in OKC!

Colors of Freedom Art Exhibit thru January 2025Lyuda Cameron invited Mid-Del Art Guild (MDAG) to see the Ukrainian Children for Peace exhibit at the Oklahoma Contemporary Art Center (11 NW 11th St, OKC). Lyuda explained to me that the dog painting is of "Bullet", a well-known bomb sniffing dog in the Ukraine. Bullet searches for bombs that have been hidden in destroyed buildings by the Russians who are hoping to kill more Ukrainians as they look for people and property. The painting of the two birds combines their beloved stork with our revered eagle and together we are saving democracy and the Ukrainian people. While there, we also saw the art installation of refugee camps called "Shelter" by Lisa Karrer. Included in the exhibits are interviews of displaced people fleeing violence and social and economic upheavals. I was very interested to read an interview of a Vietnamese who said their family does not say I Love You, they show it by asking if you are hungry and feeding you. Recently I picked up my dog at the local groomer (Soi) who is Vietnamese. We got to chatting and she said she makes big batches of egg rolls several times a year and makes some for her customers. She gave my husband and I several egg rolls to take home for dinner. We were honored and when I read the interview at the exhibit, it hit home about food and love. Thank you Lyuda, Lisa and the OK Contemporary Art Center. Art can touch our souls and help us take action to help others.

Amazing! Stunning rotating exhibitions of cutting edge art from around the globe. A beacon of progress and culture in OKC.