In 2018, Oklahoma Contemporary’s signature ArtNow celebrated Oklahoma’s vibrant contemporary art community. The exhibition, which opened Dec. 15, 2017, provided a snapshot of Oklahoma’s diverse art scene. The exhibit wrapped up with an art sale, the “party with a purpose” on Jan. 19, 2018.

The event supported Oklahoma artists, who received a 50 percent commission on each artwork sold. Tickets, sponsorships and the remainder of art sales helped keep Oklahoma Contemporary exhibitions open free of charge, year-round.

For the 2017-18 exhibition, Curatorial and Exhibitions Director Jennifer Scanlan and guest curator Alyson Atchison chose 25 artists across many media, from jewelry and sculpture to printmaking and painting. See the list of artists and their media here. The exhibition, which had traditionally been 10 days, ran five weeks.

“The expanded ArtNow offers a unique opportunity to get people excited about Oklahoma art and to get collectors excited about investing in Oklahoma art,” Scanlan said.

In addition to the sale, visitors interacted with the exhibit in a variety of ways, including in a hands-on Learning Gallery and on Tuesday Tours. (At 5:30 p.m. each Tuesday, staff-led tours offered a behind-the-scenes look at the exhibition.)

ArtNow culminated with the closing event on Jan. 19, bringing together tastemakers and trendsetters for an evening of art, cocktails and entertainment. Learn more about the event here.