OKLAHOMA CITY (Jan. 6, 2026) — Oklahoma Contemporary welcomes the public to an evening celebrating contemporary Oklahoma artists, featuring ArtNow: Materials and Boundaries gallery talks, followed by a Gallery America screening presented in partnership with the Oklahoma Educational Television Authority (OETA), on Thursday, Jan. 15, at Oklahoma Contemporary.

Organized by Guest Curator Alexa Goetzinger and Guest Curatorial Assistant Virginia Sitzes, Materials and Boundaries is the 2025 edition of Oklahoma Contemporary’s ArtNow biennial exhibition. The exhibition highlights new and recent work by artists active in the state and examines Oklahoman identity through themes of place and self, using experimental materials and innovative practices.

Oklahoma’s complex history and distinctive geographic position inform much of the exhibition's work. The artists explore how identity and place are expressed through materiality, presenting thoughtful, nuanced practices that are attuned to global artistic trends while remaining grounded in the cultural and environmental shifts shaping contemporary Oklahoma.

The evening will begin with a Gallery Talk at 5:30 p.m., featuring exhibiting artists Ebony Iman Dallas, Hong Hong and Leticia R. Bajuyo, as well as Goetzinger and Sitzes. These conversations offer audiences the opportunity to hear directly from the artists, gain insight into their creative processes and explore the ideas behind the works on view. The Gallery Talks series highlights different artists and themes throughout the exhibition, encouraging fresh perspectives and meaningful dialogue.

At 6:30 p.m., the program will continue with a special screening of Gallery America, OETA’s Emmy Award-winning arts series hosted by Jonathan Thompson. The screening will feature segments on all seven Gallery America artists included in the ArtNow exhibition: Amy Sanders de Melo, Leticia R. Bajuyo, Ebony Iman Dallas, Irmgard Geul, Denise Duong, Behnaz Sohrabian and Carlos Barboza, offering a deeper look at their work and artistic vision.

ArtNow 2025: Materials and Boundaries is on view Sept. 18, 2025, through Feb. 15, 2026, in the Eleanor Kirkpatrick Main Gallery at Oklahoma Contemporary.

Event Details

Date: Thursday, Jan. 15
Gallery Talk: 5:30 p.m.
Gallery America Screening: 6:30 p.m.
Location: Oklahoma Contemporary, 11 NW 11th Street, Oklahoma City
Admission: Free and open to the public
Registration: bit.ly/4p88hQS

About OETA

OETA provides essential educational content and services that inform, inspire and connect Oklahomans to ideas and information that enrich our quality of life. We do this by consistently engaging Oklahomans with educational and public television programming, providing educational training and curriculum, outreach initiatives and online features that collectively encourage lifelong learning. For more information about education curriculum and programs, local productions, digital television, community resources and show schedules explore OETA.tv.

About Oklahoma Contemporary

Oklahoma Contemporary, formed in 1989 as City Arts Center by Christian Keesee and Kirkpatrick Foundation Director Marilyn Myers, is a nonprofit organization committed to providing quality, accessible and affordable arts programming. With a mission to encourage artistic expression in all its forms through education, exhibitions and performance, Oklahoma Contemporary is committed to instilling in the public a lifetime appreciation of the arts and enthusiasm for creative practice. For more information on free exhibitions, class schedules and public programs, visit oklahomacontemporary.org.