Farm-style tables covered in place setting stand under trees on a green lawn

Bottomless booze, best-of-city brunch cuisine and art-making on tap for Art of Brunch

After a year in which few had a chance to don fun outfits and gather for a great cause, Art of Brunch is back July 31 with something big to celebrate: its first iteration since our new campus opened. Supporters can sample some of the city’s best brunch cuisine and beverages, get hands-on with DIY art activities and take a first look at the new, biennale edition of ArtNow.

“Art of Brunch is just one of the most feel-good parties I've ever attended,” says Oklahoma Contemporary executive director Eddie Walker. “It's a whole lot of fun. It's outdoors, it's on a weekend morning and with good weather, it's just a great time to have super food, great drinks and great music."

The always-sells-out summer party will feature scrumptious brunch offerings courtesy of Stella Modern Italian, Quincy Bake Shop at Bradford House, Neon, Kam’s Kookery, Café Contemporary and Dippin’ Dots. Attendees can quench their thirst with bottomless mimosas and beermosas along with a selection of brunch-paired lagers from exclusive beer sponsor, COOP Ale works. The Jones Assembly is crafting an event-specific specialty cocktail, and Joullian Vineyards and Winery will bring its rosé.

Beyond being one of the hottest events of the summer for art and brunch lovers, Art of Brunch is a favorite spot on the calendar for chefs and restaurateurs, as well. Chef Kamala Gamble of Kam’s Kookery said she came on board with Art of Brunch in 2019 and jumped at the chance to do it again.

“I said, ‘Of course,’” Gamble says. “We love to do anything that supports contemporary arts in Oklahoma City, and we are really thrilled to be a part of Art of Brunch.”

Café Contemporary’s chef, Neely Hopper, says Art of Brunch gives her a chance to put a modern spin on some time-honored family traditions and serve them to hungry attendees.

“I’m going make some homemade biscuits called rich biscuits – they’re some of the best biscuits ever,” Hopper says. “My grandmother used to make them. They have a lot of butter and heavy whipping cream, and they're flaky and a lot of layers, so they're really, really good. You don't need butter with them.”

“And then I'm making a variety of homemade jams,” Hopper excitedly continues. “I just started making jams again, and I have so much fun with it because I try to do things a little bit different. Like, my favorite this time of year is white peach and basil jam. I’m also making strawberry basil jam, blueberry rosemary jam and a nectarine thyme jam. I try to play with some savory-type spices in the sweet, and it turns out really well.”

Paper flower kit

As if the food weren’t enough, attendees can also try their hands at fun art projects. Guests will receive paper flower kits and learn how to make corsages, boutonnieres and floral crowns, and the team from Yo, Bro Murals (Lindsay Zodrow and Hayley Owen) will create a fill-in-the-colors mural for brunch-goers to complete.

“People who haven't been in the new building yet must come to Art of Brunch,” said Dan O’Donoghue, associate director of development. “We're still trying to introduce ourselves to a lot of people, and so, this is kind of a fun way to support us, have some amazing food and drink, see the building and be one of the first to see ArtNow 2021.”

ArtNow 2021 will feature works by Bert Seabourn, Carrie Kouts, Edward Grady, Kyle Larson and more, running July 29-Sept. 13 in the Eleanor Kirkpatrick Main Gallery. Now a biennial exhibition, ArtNow 2021 includes more than 100 works from 27 Oklahoma artists, all offering an introduction to the sheer amount of contemporary art made in Oklahoma.

All of this makes Art of Brunch a must-attend, see-and-be-seen summer party. Board member and Art of Brunch event chair Eli Hellman says he’s glad to see Art of Brunch returning this year on Oklahoma Contemporary’s new campus.

“This is simply one of the best events on my calendar,” Hellman says. “Bringing world-class contemporary art to Oklahoma City is such a worthy cause, especially doing so in collaboration with a world-class brunch.”