State Capitol Galleries
The Oklahoma Arts Council supports the work of professional Oklahoma artists by showcasing their work in three galleries in the State Capitol: the North, East and Governor’s Gallery. Curated by the Oklahoma Arts Council, the gallery spaces feature temporary exhibitions that rotate approximately every 60 days.
The exhibitions exemplify the artistic quality and cultural diversity in our state and enrich the lives of Oklahomans and Capitol visitors alike while promoting public interest and understanding of the arts.
HOURS AND LOCATION IN THE STATE CAPITOL:
- East Gallery - Located on the 1st floor, east wing, this gallery features paintings and mixed media works and is open daily from 8:30-5:30.
- North Gallery - Located on the 1st floor, north wing, this gallery features photography and is open daily from 8:30-5:30.
- Governor's Gallery - Located on the 2nd floor adjacent to the Governor’s Blue Room, this gallery features paintings and mixed media works and is open Monday through Friday from 8:30-5:00.
Selection of Artists for Exhibition
East Gallery
Sue Clancy
Laughing Matters Too
Laughter is very important to Norman artist Sue Clancy. Her art is often inspired by books she reads, people she meets, things she sees, the fact that she is deaf and the words she ‘miss-hears’, puns, idioms, and other funny words or phrases.
“I’m fascinated by the relationship between words and images. Particularly I’m amused by how we use verbal and visual animal metaphors to communicate. I’m interested artistically in how animal characters and humor enable us to discuss complex concepts in ways that are both memorable and accessible by a variety of people. I’m using animals and humor in my artwork to create conceptual jokes which talk about aspects of being human.”
North
Gallery
Sarah Hearn
Connecting Constellations of an Intangible Universe
Oklahoma City artist Sarah Hearn explores the connection between art and science and is constantly inspired by new scientific discoveries.
Connecting Constellations of an Intangible Universe is a body of work exploring the parallels between the artist tinkering with scientific equations and the scientist tinkering with the systems of the universe.
Governor's
Gallery
Charles R. Rushton
Waterworks and Walls
Well known for his portrait photography, Charles Rushton’s exhibit, Waterworks and Walls, is a diversion from his signature subject matter and is the first time this series of photographs has been displayed. In this exhibit, this Norman artist focused on everyday objects such as submerged trash and transformed them into items of beauty.
“I particularly like the effect of water on trash,” Rushton says. “I’m not that interested in trash itself -- I’m interested in how nature transforms it. It’s the action of the water twisting it and shaping it, and the sun fading things. These are the things that make the pictures interesting.”