Oklahoma State Capitol Museum(10) And The Oklahoma Art Collection & Betty Price Gallery(11)

Jonathan Elmore
Jun 10
3 min read

Updated: Jul 10

OKLAHOMA CITY

I recently went down to the capitol building for a gathering of folks in the music and film industries. Since I act and play music I thought it was a good idea. I saw Beau Jennings there and got to meet a nice guy named Shane Henry from the band The Imaginaries. Other than that, it was just okay. But what I noticed while I was there was an impressive amount of art on the walls. I made a plan to come back when the building wasn't swarming with entertainment hopefuls.

I didn't even get into the building before I started snapping pictures of the sculptures both near to and on the building. I guy saw me taking a picture of the sculpture of a Native man on top of the dome. He said that was a great idea and took a picture of it himself. I went inside, passed through security which always makes me feel weird. Am I carrying any weapons or contraband? I don't think so. I should be okay. I was. False anxiety!

What I wasn't expecting on this trip was there were basically three different collections in the building, The State Capitol Museum, The Oklahoma Art Collection, and the Betty Price Gallery. Since they're all in one building, I put them together in one easy article. I was in for a long trip through the Capitol, but I was ready and excited.

Just past the checkpoint, there is a great big painting welcoming you into the building. And from there, it was non-stop picture taking until I left. I went to the actual Museum located on the first floor. It has the history and renovation of the capitol building itself, as well as some politically oriented Oklahoma history. When I see some of that history, it makes me weep for the people that weren't treated as they should have been. And there was a lot of it going on. While I'm always interested in historical exhibits, I was a little more interested in the fact that each floor in the capitol has paintings either hanging in frames or as a mural on the walls. Not just paintings line the corridors. I saw beaded necklaces, sculptures, and textile art like quilts. I thought for sure as I traveled up the five flights of stairs I would run out of art to see, but I didn't. It was so great. One floor, maybe the second floor?, had a gallery from the Oklahoma Arts Council where I saw some more great art from conteporary artists including one that made me talk to myself. I said, "Ha! Hey! Tasso Pitsiri!" He's the father of Lisa and Andreas who I knew when I lived in Enid. It's always cool to have an art connection even if it's an old one.

Down a couple of corridors, there were exhibits of specific artist's works. These special showings curated by the Oklahoma Arts Council change regularly and feature one artist per area. This time, I saw two such sections with works from Katherine Liontas-Warren and Mike Larsen. I've included pictures from both of these talented humans.

Even though I was there for a couple of hours, most people were going about their day and either ignored me wandering the halls unattended or looked curious as to what I was doing but didn't care enough to ask. I'm sure I'd be the same way if I had to work in politics. A couple of people talked to me about the artwork that they worked near. A gentleman talked to me about the painting of Oklahoma City a few days after the land run. And a woman asked if I needed help finding someone. I told her I was looking at the art and we talked about print art and Reba McEntire. It was great to connect with people who notice the art around them.

I you ever get the chance to go the Oklahoma State Capitol, take a few minutes and look around at the impressive art collection they have. You'll be better for it. There are also tours available. While I was walking around, I inadvertently joined a guided tour. The woman had some great insight as to what she was showing everyone. It was when the boring questions started flying from the trail of people following her that I peeled off from the back of the group and headed up the next flight of stairs. Guided tours can be fun, but I'm more of a loner, Dottie, a rebel.

Even if you have zero political knowledge or aspirations, go to the capitol building and look what your tax dollars are funding. And grab a t-shirt in the giftshop to prove you were there.