The Oklahoma Hall of Fame is proud to host a special exhibit of artists in the Tulsa World | Lorton Family Gallery at the Gaylord-Pickens Museum.  The Art of the Portrait will be on display from September 12 to November 21, 2019. This regional juried exhibition showcases figurative works from artists in Oklahoma, New Mexico, and Texas. This exhibition is curated by the Portrait Society of America, featuring jurors Rose Frantzen and Jeff Hein.

Events at the Gaylord-Pickens Museum include:

  • Free Public Exhibition & Awards Reception: 5:00 – 7:00 p.m., Friday, October 4
  • Oklahoma Portrait Academy Ticketed Events featuring Rose Frantzen and Jeff Hein:  Portrait Demonstration: 7:00 – 9:00 p.m., Friday, October 4/Drawing Workshops: 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m., Saturday, October 5.
  • Register online:

According to Christine Egnoski, executive director of the Portrait Society of America, “creating a portrait is an expression of the highest regard for another person. However, it is not only a great honor to be portrayed by an artist, but it asks a lot of the artist as well because the face and the figure are the most challenging subjects to master.”

“The portrait and figurative artist’s first love is painting people”, suggests Egnoski. “For many of today’s artists, their first praises came for their portrayals of friends and relatives. Pursuing a career in portraiture is a unique calling, and it is a great privilege to be commissioned to paint a portrait for posterity. It is also a recording of cultures and time periods for future generations. Serious reflection about a world without paintings of its inhabitants will make anyone realize that portrait art is not a luxury but a necessity.  The Art of the Portrait Tri-State Exhibition is a collection of works by artists residing in Oklahoma, New Mexico and Texas which features the faces and figures of today”.

Formed as an educational organization in February 1998, the Portrait Society of America is dedicated to furthering the traditions of fine art portraiture and figurative art through programs and publications. A 501(C)3 registered charity, the Portrait Society is committed to providing educational resources to anyone interested in technical information, traditional aesthetics and the history of figurative art and portraiture.  The organization publishes The Art of the Portrait Journal and International Artist Magazine and contributes to each issue of American Art Collector Magazine on topics related to portraiture and figurative art.  The Portrait Society of America hosts several annual education programs nationwide.

The Oklahoma Hall of Fame preserves Oklahoma’s history by telling Oklahoma’s story through its people. Founded in 1927, the Oklahoma Hall of Fame was created to honor Oklahomans who had given outstanding service to the state during their lifetime and to provide educational programming for students of all ages. Being inducted to the Oklahoma Hall of Fame is Oklahoma's Highest Honor. Through exhibits and experiences at the Gaylord-Pickens Museum, the Oklahoma Hall of Fame stands to preserve Oklahoma’s unique history while promoting pride in our great state.  For more information about the Oklahoma Hall of Fame or Gaylord-Pickens Museum, visit oklahomahof.com or call 405.235.4458.