Reserve your place in history with Oklahoma Contemporary's new timed-ticketing system
Oklahoma Contemporary was less than 24 hours from making history as the state's next great cultural institution when COVID-19 stopped us in our tracks. In the interest of keeping our community safe, we scrapped our plans for a major blowout weekend and watched with the rest of the world as a new reality settled upon us. In the months since, we've been working hard to bring our new home to you during this time of physical distance, sharing interviews with exhibiting artists, behind-the-scenes tours of our new facilities, mesmerizing videos of featured works and a whole lot more.
Of course, nothing can replace the experience of engaging with art in person — that's why today's announcement of the new limited-access, timed-ticketing system at Oklahoma Contemporary is being met with serious excitement. For the first time, the general public is able to experience our inaugural Bright Golden Haze and Shadow on the Glare exhibitions, along with all the features and amenities that make our new home a work of art in itself.
In addition to the online reservation system allowing more than 2,400 square feet per visitor, additional safety measures include mandatory masks for all staff and visitors, along with stringent protocols for sanitation, capacity and social distancing. Reserve your slot today and get hyped for your visit with a quick review on what you can expect from our dazzling and diverse opening exhibitions.
A universe of light
New Light began bringing you stories behind Oklahoma Contemporary's inaugural Bright Golden Haze exhibition in February, with a feature on the finer points of installing the arts center's most high-tech show in history.
“We knew this was going to be really technically difficult show, and we were going to be dealing with a lot of things involving lit spaces or dark spaces,” Curator Jennifer Scanlan said. “We worked with them to really come up with something that not only worked for the visitor, but also incorporated all of this technology.”
Among the most complex of these dazzling displays of immersive, tech-driven art are Entangled by Camille Utterback and Star Ceiling 2 by Leo Villareal. Both artists sat down to discuss their process in our Illuminations video series, which also includes a conversation with exhibition designer Annie Chu, who offered insight on collaborating with and helping execute the vision of Oklahoma Contemporary's hardworking exhibitions team.
By now, you likely know the broad strokes of what you can expect from our blockbuster opening group show: an immersive art experience exploring light and space. But no amount of research will prepare you for the thrill of experiencing this illuminating exhibition in person, safely, at your own pace.
Casting shadows
Your new arts center celebrates all things local. From the menu offerings in the lobby café to the wares in our retail store, Oklahoma Contemporary takes pride in supporting makers right here in our home state. That's why we've got a whole gallery dedicated to the work of Oklahoma artists, kicking off with the inaugural Shadow on the Glare — an arresting response to Bright Golden Haze, named after a line of verse by Oklahoma Centennial State Poet Laureate N. Scott Momaday. In conjunction with the inaugural exhibition in the main gallery, this stunning group show demonstrates the resonance between Oklahoma's local artists and their globally recognized peers.
"Each artist uses light and shadow in different ways to capture the emotional qualities of various Oklahoma settings," said Curator Pablo Barrera. "From the dramatic black-and-white images of a field after a fire, to the soft haze around a driver contemplating the open road, this exhibition presents some of the many ways to view Oklahoma’s landscapes."
Since delaying our opening in response to COVID-19, New Light has brought you profiles and Q&As with Shadow on the Glare artists. Before you experience the show for yourself, be sure to spend some time getting to know the work of exhibiting photographers like Gary Mason and Keli Mashburn, and even create something of your own with our Sam Charboneau-inspired #AtHomeArt project.
You can expect more engaging digital content and virtual programs around our jaw-dropping exhibitions, as we continue to find ways to bring our mission online amid the ongoing pandemic. In the meantime, reserve your limited-access spot now and get ready to see the world in a whole new light.
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