Learn Collage, Make A Keepsake with Artist Marissa Raglin

Norman Arts Council started the Undercover Artist series in 2017 to introduce would-be artists to a variety of different creative mediums through hands-on learning experiences aimed for novices, amateurs and intermediate artists, alike. Covering subjects like sculpting, storytelling and photography so far, the latest Undercover Artist workshop on collage is led by artist Marissa Raglin!

Marissa Raglin: Custom Collage
2-4 p.m. Saturday, June 16
MAINSITE Contemporary Art | 122 E. Main, Norman

"Custom Collage" invites guests to bring their own reproductions of family photos, postcards, and/or family recipe cards to create their own 9 in. x 12 in. hand made collage work on paper under Marissa Raglin's direction. Leaning on design basics, guests are encouraged to alter the imagery they bring and add texture and shapes to create their own narrative. 

Artists Marissa Raglin and J. Chris Johnson Bring Solo Exhibitions to MAINSITE Contemporary Art

Memories and the emotions tied to them act as a binder between artists Marissa Raglin and J. Chris Johnson, who will each occupy MAINSITE Contemporary Art, 122 E. Main, Norman with solo exhibitions that open this June.

The exhibitions will be celebrated with an opening reception from 6 to 10 p.m. on Friday, June 8 and run through Saturday, July 14 with a closing reception scheduled for 6 to 10 p.m. on Friday, July 13. Both receptions occur in conjunction with the free 2nd Friday Norman Art Walk — presented by Norman Arts Council — that takes place monthly in the Walker Arts District of Downtown Norman. 

Nest IV by Marissa Raglin

Raglin is an Oklahoma City visual artist and the 2017-2018 Skirvin Paseo Artist in Residence at the Skirvin Hilton Hotel located in downtown Oklahoma City. Currently working in analog collage and resin, she can be found knee-deep in old illustration books and magazines plucked from thrift stores and half-priced book shops. 

Raglin earned her BA in Studio Art from Oklahoma Baptist University with an emphasis in painting. However, she always found herself gravitating to works on paper. It was not until 2014 that Raglin picked up the Xacto knife and began working in collage. 

“Creating with images delicately removed with a cutting blade from vintage magazines, books, and postcards, I favor the endless assemblages of collage imagery,” Raglin said in an artist statement. “Using original, unaltered imagery and basic design elements, the images are compiled and become unified, telling one story. I am drawn to repetition, color, and pattern. Using these elements, I focus on the story that develops between the images” 

Her artist residency program — Cut & Paste OK — has seen her guiding guests at the Skirvin Hilton Hotel to create their own handmade collage postcards, using family photos, magazine clippings, found art and more to assemble their own story through collage. This exhibition, titled Horizons, is her largest showcase since undertaking the artist residency. 

Raglin will provide that opportunity during her exhibition as well, leading an Undercover Artist workshop on collage from 2 to 4 p.m. on Saturday, June 16 at MAINSITE. Guests are invited to bring reproductions of family photos, postcards and/or family recipe cards to create their own handmade collage work on paper under Raglin’s direction. Registration for the workshop is $25 and available now.

J. Chris Johnson

Johnson is a prolific, Norman-based oil painter interested in exploring the lives of people around him and bringing into focus that which many people tend to overlook. Johnson got started primarily in portraiture made of dark colors and lines that focused on themes of struggle. The works on display in his MAINSITE exhibition highlight his evolution as an artist as he delves deeper into what it means to confront the viewer with his art. 

His vibrant paintings depict objects engulfed in flame and smoke. They seek to immerse the viewer in the disaster taking place. The juxtaposition of the inviting colors and the tragic subject matter forces the viewer into a struggle with subject. The result is at once unsettling and calming.  

Photographer John Schaefer will have works on display in the Library Gallery. A practicing lawyer, Schaefer’s exhibition features images taken in the enchanting and mysterious countries of Myanmar, Thailand, Laos, Cambodia and Vietnam. 

MAINSITE Contemporary Art is open from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday during the summer. Special appointments can be made for viewing on Saturdays. 
 

Learn Spiral Jewelry Making with Sally Cloud as a part of Norman Arts' Undercover Artist Series

Norman Arts Council started the Undercover Artist series in 2017 to introduce would-be artists to a variety of different creative mediums through hands-on learning experiences aimed for novices, amateurs and intermediate artists, alike. Covering subjects like sculpting, storytelling and photography so far, the latest Undercover Artist workshop features spiral jewelry making, led by accomplished artisan Sally Cloud!

Sally Cloud Spiral Jewelry Workshop
1 to 4 p.m. on Saturday, May 19, 2018

$75 registration fee includes jewelry making supplies for you to keep!
Registrations must be complete by Sunday, May 13th to allow ample time to order the supplies!

In one afternoon, participants completing the Sally Cloud Spiral Jewelry Workshop will leave with a finished piece of jewelry ready to wear!  Sally has been making wire spirals since making her first piece of jewelry at Philbrook Art Center in 1971 and will be sharing her knowledge and expertise in creating a focal point pendant of a hand shaped and hammered copper spiral.  The spiral is one of the five symbols of humankind and ancient and modern examples of spiral wire jewelry will be shown along with some of Sally’s original designs.  

Participants will receive their own beginning tool kit to take home!  This kit is a $50 value and includes flat nose pliers, round nose pliers, a chasing hammer, an anvil jewelry making steel bench block.  Each attendee will also have supplies available to create your own fun piece to take home the day of the workshop.  The possibilities are limitless!

Norman Arts Accepting Applications for 2018 O. Gail Poole Travel Award

O. Gail Poole Memorial Travel Award

DEADLINE: MAY 18, 2018 AT MIDNIGHT CST
APPLY HERE
PARA ESPAÑOL

Nicole Poole, in remembrance of her father, Oklahoma artist O. Gail Poole, established this fund. Administered by the Norman Arts Council, this fund benefits artists of demonstrated merit and ability, providing the opportunity and freedom of travel, which Poole so adored.

Funds may be used for travel for a specific project, fee for attending a professional workshop, or other travel needs to be considered in the selection process.

AWARDS:

Norman Artist Travel Award - $1,500 awarded to an artist living in Norman, OK

Oklahoma Artist Travel Award - $1,500 award to an Oklahoma artist identifying with an ethnic, cultural, sexual, gender, economic or ability minority.

Recipient will be required to sign an agreement that the award will be used strictly for the travel purposes outlined in the Narrative Proposal of Use of Funds.

SELECTION CRITERIA:

Applications for the award will be reviewed by a selection committee of the Norman Arts Council according to the policies of the Council and considering the following criteria:

1. Artistic excellence, originality and ability to produce a consistent body of work as evidenced by representation of past work in images and other supporting materials.

2. Thoughtful proposed use of funds.

3. Ability to act professionally and as a good representative of the Norman arts community.

ELIGIBILITY:

All artists must:

1. Have resided in Norman, OK for at least the past 12 months.

OR

2. Have resided in Oklahoma for at least the past 12 months.

3. Submit a completed application by May 18, 2018 via this website. Incomplete applications will not be considered.

4. Attest that the submitted works of art are executed solely by the artist

5. Be over the age of 18.

SUBMISSION:

Submissions must be submitted electronically via this form. Paper submissions will not be accepted. Application must include:

1. Electronic Application

2. Artist Bio/Resume - Include a current professional bio or resume, emphasizing your exhibition and project experience. Past exhibitors may be contacted.

3. Narrative Proposal of Use of Funds - Include a description of how the funds will be used to assist in the professional pursuit of your artistic practice. If you are applying for the Oklahoma Travel Award, your narrative should include a statement of your diversity.

4. Images - Include a minimum of FIVE (5) and a maximum of TEN (10) images. Images should be in .jpg format with a minimum resolution of approximately 800x600 pixels.

5. Image ID Sheet - Include Title, year, medium for each image

6. Additional Support Materials

You may include additional materials that you feel will help support your application.

The Norman Arts Council reserves the right to withhold any awards based on the lack of qualified proposals.

Norman Arts Council Accepting Summer 2018 Arts Education Program Scholarship Applications through May 1

In 2012, the Norman Arts Council introduced the Robert Kidd III Arts Programs Scholarship Fund to provide support for students in grades kindergarten through 8th grade who are residents of Norman to attend arts education programs with an established arts organization or educator. Awards are given for fall, spring and summer class sessions and can be used for private lessons, classes with an art organization or business (in Norman or elsewhere) or any other art education opportunity.

Scholarship Program Mission:  The Norman Arts Council Arts Education Scholarships are intended to provide Norman children with the opportunity to attend arts programming that is offered outside of schools.

Summer 2018 Arts Programs Scholarship Application 

DUE 11:59 PM TUESDAY, MAY 1, 2018
APPLY BY CLICKING HERE

Note: Please read application guidelines thoroughly to ensure timely completion of all requirements!

ELIGIBILITY: The Norman Arts Council invites students in grades K-8 who live or go to school in Norman, Oklahoma to apply for a scholarship to offset the cost of an arts education experience provided by an established arts organization or educator.

APPLICATIONS: The NAC has recently restructured their scholarship criteria, so there is new information. Only Applications submitted through the on-line process will be considered for funding. Applications must be 100% completed for consideration. "I don't know" or "unsure" answers will deem an incomplete application.

SELECTION CRITERIA:  The NAC is seeking applications for scholarships from students who:

• express a strong desire to enhance their arts education experience beyond what is offered at schools
• demonstrate a past commitment to visual or performing arts
• have the ability to commit to the completion of the program
• have a financial need that prevents them from funding the tuition themselves
• priority will be given to new applicants, low income applicants, and applicants seeking funds for visual arts programs
• $500 is the maximum award a single student will be granted
• Applications must be 100% completed

Applicants will not be turned down for not meeting all of the criteria. It is encouraged, however, to try to meet as many as possible and to address the criteria directly in the proposal.

AWARDS:  Award notification will be by mail. Due to limited funds, applicants may not receive the full funding requested and/or may not receive any funding at this time.

DISBURSEMENT OF FUNDS:  Upon award notification and receipt of agreement, the Norman Arts Council will give the awarded funds directly to the organization or individual implementing the program applied for on behalf of the student. Should the program be cancelled for any reason by the organization or individual implementing, the funds will be returned to the Norman Arts Council’s scholarship program and may be applied for during the next cycle.

COMMITMENT TO PROGRAM:  Upon award notification, the student’s parent or legal guardian will receive an agreement that states they will commit to ensuring the student’s regular attendance to the program. If the student fails to attend at least 75% of the program, the student will be asked to withdraw; any remaining funds will be returned to the Norman Arts Council’s scholarship program; and the student will not be eligible in the future.

AVAILABILITY OF FUNDS:  The total amount of scholarship funds available may be awarded to one applicant or divided among multiple applicants. The Norman Arts Council reserves the right to not award any scholarships should there be a lack of qualified candidates or shortage of scholarship funds.

LIABILITY:  Award recipients and their guardians agree to indemnify and hold harmless the NAC, its employees, its agents, and its Board of Directors, in connection with any action, claim, lawsuit, charge, or proceeding, including but not limited to any civil action in State or Federal Court, or before any State or Federal agency, which is made or brought against recipients, NAC, and/or any of NAC's employees, agents, or board members, by any person or entity, based upon and/or arising out of a recipient's use of the funds.

APPEALS:  Any applicant who is denied a scholarship in whole or in part may only appeal directly to the NAC Education Committee on the following grounds: 1) discrimination against the applicant or its membership on the basis of: race, color, national origin, gender, religion, age, or disability, which is shown to have materially and adversely affected the outcome of their application; 2) illegal activity on the part of the Education Committee or a member of the Education Committee, which is shown to have materially and adversely affected the outcome of their application. 

The Robert Kidd III Arts Programs Scholarship Fund is made possible with support from Republic Bank and Trust, Norman Communities Foundation, Allied Arts and the City of Norman.