Oklahoma City ranks No. 1 for its public art
Murals have joined older sculptures
Oklahoma City’s public art, ranging from historic to abstract sculptures to rotating murals in the Plaza District, is the best in the country as ranked by readers of USA TODAY.
Oklahoma City, described as “a veritable outdoor gallery,” was among a list of cities nationwide nominated by a panel of USA TODAY editors and expert advisers and then voted on by readers.
“Oklahoma City might not be the first place that comes to mind when you think about street art, but this city has become a veritable outdoor gallery,” USA TODAY wrote. “Start your explorations in the Plaza District before continuing on to the Western Avenue corridor and Bricktown.”
Rounding out the USA TODAY list, Cincinnati came in second, followed by Richmond, Va.; Houston; Philadelphia; Reno, Nev.; Detroit; Miami; Atlanta; and Baltimore.
Oklahoma City’s public art offerings were limited to mostly sculptures of historic moments and civic leaders through the 1980s.
“These things don’t happen by accident. It took intentional effort over a long period of time, but now we’re seeing those efforts bear fruit.” Mayor David Holt
The city’s emergence as a public art destination evolved over 30 years as part of the MAPS initiatives launched in 1993 to use limited sales taxes to improve quality of life.
Those early projects included “Inclined” by David Phelps along the Bricktown Canal and “The History of Bricktown,”
three murals assembled with 158,000 mosaic tiles created by Susan Morrison.
The mural scene expanded thanks to funding from the Downtown Oklahoma City Partnership with its work including murals and sculptures throughout downtown and the privately supported Plaza Walls in the Plaza District.
A series of larger projects, including the Land Run Monument, were created as part of a statewide celebration of the 2007 Oklahoma Centennial.
Public art now can be found throughout the city at libraries, parks and the sides of buildings in Capitol Hill and along NE 23, with more planned along SW 29.
Mayor David Holt, who launched regular programs at City Hall spotlighting visual and performing arts, said promoting art is critical to building a city where people want to live.
“Our city adopted a 1% for art ordinance a dozen years ago, and because of MAPS 3 and other initiatives, that ordinance has put millions into public art over the past decade,” Holt said. “It has inspired in the private sector to add to the city’s effort.”
Holt also credited partnerships with organizations like Downtown Oklahoma City Partnership for boosting interest in public art.
“I’m very proud to see our city recognized,” Holt said. “These things don’t happen by accident. It took intentional effort over a long period of time, but now we’re seeing those efforts bear fruit.”
Staff writer Steve Lackmeyer is a 30year reporter, columnist and author who covers downtown Oklahoma City and related urban development for The Oklahoman. Contact him at slackmeyer@oklahoman.com. Please support his work and that of other Oklahoman journalists by purchasing a subscription today at subscribe.oklahoman.com.