All visitors entering the City of Norman’s new Development Center will receive immediate reminders of how arts and creativity sits at the center of our community identity with two new public art installations now adorning the corridor connecting the public to the lobby of the city hub.
The City of Norman and Norman Arts Council will celebrate “Circle of Inclusion,” 60 foot mural by Oklahoma artists Jose Scott and Tony Thunder, and the Gallery of Norman Artists — a rotating exhibition of Norman-based creatives — with a double dedication of the new Development Center fixtures at 4:30 p.m. Tuesday, November 21 at the City of Norman Development Center, 225 N. Webster.
Both projects underwent public requests for submissions and qualifications, garnering dozens of qualified applicants that made for a challenging, but rewarding, selection process.
The hallway-spanning “Circle of Inclusion” mural by Scott and Thunder is chockfull of symbolism celebrating all facets of Norman life, geography, history and community. Details highlight our Norman’s Camp namesake, the University of Oklahoma, tribal ties, aviation industry, public art, Lake Thunderbird, city festivals and more.
It’s all united by inspiration from the quote “You deserve a circle of inclusion and influence, but it’s up to you to create it” by Richie Norton that informs the central Oklahoma outline and paintbrush, a fitting message to reinforce to those who are entering the center with plans to build and develop our city to do it in all the ways that have and continue to make Norman special.
The Gallery of Norman Artists will feature practicing Norman artists and Norman student talent on an alternating basis with two exhibitions per year. A call for student talent for another exhibition opening in May will come this winter.
The current slate of featured artists and works includes: Barbara Benton, Jordy Branam, Dennis Brigham, Lacy Jo Burgess-Cady, Adrienne Day, Jenny Dillon, Ginna Dowling, Jesse Edgar, Melinda Gonzales, Katy Hall, Julius, Darci Lenker, Maya R, Danny Sands, Chase Spivey, Gregg Standridge, Che Warton and Sereta Wilson.
Much of the art will be for sale and those interested in purchasing can find details in the hallway of the exhibition.