Ribbon cutting begins 10 a.m. Friday; Grand Opening lasts all weekend

This Friday, the new Oklahoma Contemporary opens the doors (at its new location at NW 11th and Broadway) to the public for the first time. Festivities begin with a ribbon cutting at 10 a.m. Friday. The celebration will feature OKC dignitaries, including Mayor David Holt (who will speak), and thousands of friends, students, instructors, families and supporters.

Visitors can:

  • Tour the inaugural exhibitions: the light-themed Bright Golden Haze, which features leading artists from around the world, and Shadow on the Glare, which uses Oklahoma artists to comment on the themes of the inaugural exhibitions.
  • Explore the building and grounds, designed by Rand Elliott Architects.
  • Watch live artist demos from Studio School instructors.
  • See video installations from New York production company Iron Bloom.
  • Get their ticket or limited-edition print signed by artist Matt Goad.
  • Buy one-of-a-kind works and original products at Shop Contemporary.
  • Explore the art center’s architecture in a Learning Gallery installation.
  • Check out art activities for the littlest visitors in the SONIC Drive-In Early Childhood Studio.
  • Listen to music led by our DJ School instructors.
  • Try “contemporary comfort food” at Café Contemporary.
  • Snap a series of selfies in front of a neon-lit, Ettore Sottsass-designed mirror, Ultrafragola (The Ultimate Strawberry) in our Creative Lounge.
  • And so much more.

The festivities are free, just as Oklahoma Contemporary’s exhibitions and most programs always are. In celebration of the cultural center’s opening, a once-in-a-generation event, the Oklahoma City Streetcar will run free all weekend.

Photo and video opportunities will abound Friday (10 a.m.- 9 p.m.), Saturday (11 a.m.- 9 p.m.) and Sunday (11 a.m.-6 p.m.). Oklahoma Contemporary leadership and staff (as well as select artists) will be available for interviews in advance or at the events Media are encouraged to RSVP (jgray@okcontemp.org).