State Senate Art Collection Heads to Tulsa

Over the course of the next three days more than 80 paintings belonging to the State Senate Art Collection will be removed from the state Capitol. The artwork is being transported to the Gilcrease Museum in Tulsa, where it will be displayed from July through October.

Dr. Duane King, Executive Director of the Gilcrease Museum, said the collection is an extraordinary reflection of the state’s culture.

“If Oklahoma’s identity could be defined by art, one would have to look no further than the collection of art in the state Senate,” he said. “It really represents the character of the state – the people that built Oklahoma, the historical events and the moments that helped shape the state. It’s a fascinating collection, and the opportunity to bring it to the Gilcrease Museum is very important for us because it gives us a chance to share this immense collection with the citizens of Tulsa.”

Sponsored by the Oklahoma State Senate Historical Preservation Fund, Inc., the State Senate Art Collection features artwork representing various moments in Oklahoma’s colorful history and depicting Oklahoma’s historical figures. Former State Senator Charles R. Ford, President and founder of the organization, said the group has assembled a collection of 85 paintings, 11 bronzes and numerous hand-painted stone lithographs.

“I’m proud that we’ve been able to assemble this collection with no public funding,” Ford said. “It’s a beautiful collection, and what makes it special is that every artist is an Oklahoman and every piece depicts an Oklahoma subject. We’re honored to be able to share these great works of art with a broader audience that might not be able to view them at the state Capitol.”

To read more about the State Senate Art Collection, look at images of the paintings and learn more about the artists and the individuals and locations represented in the artwork, go to www.oksenate.gov.