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Engaging The Community

By museum intern, Tanner. 

One of my favorite aspects of working at the museum has been engaging the community – not just the Stillwater locals, but the LGBT+ community as well. I helped out the museum at both the inaugural Payne County Pride festival and Queering the Museum (the museum’s day-long event for Pride Week at OSU). As a bisexual person, I often felt alienated on OSU’s campus and in Stillwater as I struggled to find a sense of community. I think that has been one of my favorite things about working at the museum: finding a space in this small college town where I feel I have representation, both in the events put on by the museum and the artwork they host – like the 50 States exhibition. And making it on the front cover of the O’Colly wasn’t so bad, either.

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“Passion is universal humanity. Without it religion, history, romance and art would be useless.”

Honore de Balzac

Researching and applying that knowledge to improve the world now and in the future forms the passion that drives me as a social scientist. Through this and a long journey, I came to discover the amazing possibilities to follow this passion as a public historian. As an MA candidate in Public History at OSU, our program includes the real-life application component of an internship. For my program, I had the incredible opportunity to work as a liaison for the University of Central Oklahoma to the OSU Museum of Art. Through this experience, I have been afforded the opportunity to curate my own exhibit, help to create events, and learn more than I ever thought possible about the inner workings of a museum. I have met so many talented people at and through my time at OSUMOA, each of which has furthered my knowledge of art, creation, acceptance, community, and collaboration. I am extremely thankful that OSUMOA is using its resources to present pieces and events for marginalized populations, who too often have gone unnoticed for their contributions to the art world and society as a whole. Specifically, this semester, I have had the opportunity to research the Herland Sister Resource (an activist community for womyn, feminist, and the LGBTQUIA+ community in Oklahoma City). I also have made a life long friend, one of our guest speakers, the incomparable Mr. Gregory Hinton.

Aside from my time at the museum and spent on my studies, I work for Northern Oklahoma College as the Coordinator of Grants and Workforce Partnerships, raise two brilliant, feisty, unique girls, lead a Girl Scout troop, work on community projects as a Tonkawa Chamber of Commerce board member, travel, anything outdoors, and vegging out on TV series binges as I read & research for the next project. This past year has been one of drastic life changes, but the future hold great possibilities. The most exciting prospect developing on our horizon is the purchase and remodel of our new home in Shawnee, near my family. As a single mom, I am proud and humbled by this. All three of the Hinesley girls will be working to create our own haven of love & girl power! I also have to add that I am grateful to have such an incredible family helping to secure our future.

As you can see, I stay busy. But if you see me scurrying around the museum, don’t hesitate to stop and talk to me about the details of my adventures in art & the ongoing research.

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New Experiences

My name is Syd Hammond, and I am a third-year Entrepreneurship major here at OSU. I am a Museum Associate Supervisor at OSUMA, and I was just recently—and unexpectedly—given a second position as the Collections Intern for OSU’s permanent collection! Working at the OSUMA has pointed me in a career direction I didn’t know I was needing, but this new internship is following that direction in full-force. I will be working under the supervision and guidance of our lovely collections management team, Carla Shelton and Cindy Clark, who have already shown so much excitement in my interest for collections work.

The OSUMA offers dozens of opportunities for the community and students, but the opportunities offered behind the scenes are just as magical and eye-opening to what is out there to be learned, explored, and mastered. Submerging myself in this new niche of the art realm is terrifying and wonderful—like a childhood dream that is actually becoming a reality. 

Syd’s internship begins this summer. Be on the lookout for new blog postings and updates on the behind the scenes action!

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Islamic Society of Stillwater

In March, I got to take a class visit to an Islamic Mosque in Stillwater. What shocked me was finding out the location of it. I always drive by but have never noticed it before because it had blended so well with the other buildings of OSU. It wasn’t until I was actually looking for it did I notice the unique arches around all the windows that distinguish it to be a Mosque. When I entered the building, the atmosphere definitely separated itself from the other surrounding buildings. The scents were soothing, I noticed the place of prayer, and above was a chandelier. They have multiple chandeliers that were all inscribed with calligraphy and in the prayer room was the biggest one. In the prayer room above was a dome-like infrastructure that was in the shape of an octagon which seemed similar to the dome in Cordoba. When I got to go to the second floor, the place seemed to have an outdoorsy feel when I looked towards their “courtyard”. There were revealing roof tiles and lights that emulated the sun. I highly recommend taking a tour of this place, it’s free and I learned some new things about the religion and where to get the best Baklava (which is in Tulsa, by the way).  Visit http://isstillwater.org for more information! 

Tamber Walls is a Museum Associate, working towards her Bachelors in Fine Arts.

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Hello, Let’s Meet!

Hi, my name is Chestiké Williams and I’m one of the Academic Interns at the OSU Museum of Art. I work with the Education Team and they’ve all been so warm and welcoming. I have learned so much from everyone on the Education team.  I’m from Jacksonville, Florida  but was born in Washington State. I’m a military brat and grew up in a lot of places.  I can honestly say living here in Stillwater, Oklahoma has been an adventure. My time in Stillwater will soon be coming to an end because I will be graduating in May. I’m currently pursuing a Master’s degree in Art History and it has been a challenging and fruitful experience. When I’m not in class  or at the museum, I’m either hanging out with friends, taking adventures with my fiancée or playing with my dogs Burt and Whitney. I enjoy watching movies and Jurassic Park is my all-time favorite. If I’m not watching movies then I’m most likely reading a good book and listening to music. I’m a huge basketball fan and support the Dallas Mavericks and Golden State Warriors. I’m also an avid supporter of Manchester United as well. I also love comic books and collecting older issues of Thor Comics is my favorite way to spend an afternoon.  If you see me around stop and say hi.

Chestiké Williams will be graduating at the end of May with her Master’s degree in Art History. Congrats!

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Behind the Scenes: Daily Operations at the OSUMA

Hi there! My name is Tanner Luther and  I recently joined the team in January, and was immediately thrown into helping install the current 50 States exhibition. It was an incredible experience to be able to work alongside the artists, Nick Vaughan and Jake Margolin. I learned so much about the installation process and about the too-often obscured LGBT+ histories of southern and western states. After the exhibition was installed, I began work with JM Cavazos, who is the museum’s on-staff preparator. I became pretty familiar with power tools and the technical aspects of making museum magic happen. It turns out museum exhibits are rather meticulously planned (not that that should be of surprise to anyone), and it takes a lot of work to make an exhibit look professional. Since mid-February I’ve been working with Carla Shelton and Cindy Clark in the registrar/collections department. I’ve been geeking out here a bit – today I got to handle beautiful silver dishes from Iran and a Jade necklace from China that was over two-thousand years old. But working in collections definitely requires expertise and an attention to detail. Making sure that objects are preserved and cared for correctly is no easy feat, as I’ve learned after seeing the wide variety of materials and devices used to ensure that objects in the collection are documented and kept pristine.

Overall, I have really enjoyed my time working in the museum so far. I eagerly look forward to the rest of my semester here.

Tanner Luther is a junior history and philosophy major and the history practicum student at the OSUMA.

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Respect, Empower, Relationships: The OSU Museum of Art work experience

My name is Syd Hammond and I am a third-year student at OSU.

My major is Entrepreneurship with a minor in Studio Art. This eclectic mix of interests has made my time at the OSU Museum of Art even more interesting. Since my last blog post, I have become a museum associate supervisor, now working alongside a very close friend, whom I had the opportunity to meet through my work. I am immensely grateful for the opportunities the museum has extended to me, but the most valuable experience I've had is with the amazing people I work with every day. We discuss and debate the artwork, support each other in work and personal ventures, spend time together at events outside of work, and always always always show a respect I have never encountered in another work environment.

Our current exhibition, 50 States, has made these bonds even stronger, encouraging a completely accepting and inclusive workplace--and being able to have these discussions is essential to connecting not only to the community we aim to serve, but each other as well. The reception of 50 States among the staff has been awe-inspiring, controversial, and empowering. Becoming something I carry with me into my everyday life. I am so grateful for all the wonderful people at the OSU Museum of Art and the impact they have on the community, and on each and every staff member--whether they know it or not.

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Say “Hey,” to Lydia!

Hey, I’m Lydia!

I’m a new Museum Associate at the Oklahoma State Museum of Art and a student at Oklahoma State. I started at the museum because art has always been a center point of my life. My mom is an artist; Resulting in our house and our life being full of art and creativity. I am so grateful to have grown up in such an open environment which encouraged self-expression, curiosity, and individuality. Consequently, artistic expression has become embedded in my person and everything I do. Wherever I end up, I find comfort in the fact art will follow me. Whatever career I pursue, I know art will continue as a priority in whatever form it takes.

I also love quotable movies, books you can't put down, and second-hand stores. I want to live everywhere at least once and make the people around me happy!

Come by the museum! Hope to see you there!

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Art as Environmental Activism

Hello everyone! My name is Sarah Wyssmann and I am a new Student Staff member at the OSU Museum of Art. I recently moved to Stillwater and this is my first semester at OSU where I am currently studying to be a Geology major. The Washed Up Exhibition has really stood out to me since it focuses on human waste polluting water sources. Water pollution is the leading worldwide cause of death and disease. 99% of Earths water is considered unusable for human use and consumption (mainly sea water). That leaves only 1% of Earths water for us to use. And what have we done with that precious 1% of water? Pollute it. 

The piece Lady of the Lake really stands out to me; the inner tube life preserver being the only thing keeping her afloat. I feel like it represents what we all unknowingly (and sometimes knowingly) put into our bodies on a daily basis. For instance, fish have begun eating plastic waste that has ended up in the oceans. The fish consume and absorb microplastics. We then eat the fish and absorb the microplastics from their flesh. When digested, these microplastics release toxins they initially absorbed in oceanic environments, polluting our own bodies. Industrial waste plays a huge roll in the pollution of Earth's water resources. Many industries do not have proper waste disposal regulations, so they can easily get away with dumping their waste at the nearest lake or ocean.

Here is another example to think about. When you put gasoline in your vehicle, that little drip of gasoline that falls from the nozzle as you put it back will eventually be absorbed into the ground thus polluting ground water. So, if we want to continue living on Earth, we need to stop our bad polluting habits and find new ways to make water sources as pure as possible. And start recycling everything we can to keep waste out of the environment.♻ 

Sarah Wyssmann is a Museum Associate at the OSU Museum of Art and is currently studying Geology at the University.

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When Art and Horses Combine

Art is a foundation for learning which is used in every subject matter. Hello, my name is Calli Heflin and I am a Museum Associate at the OSU Museum of Art. I  also serve as the Vice President of OSU Horseman’s Association. I started a horse drawing lab in December to bring the art community closer to its drawing subjects, and to encourage those who don’t feel comfortable around art to engage in it while in familiar territory. Art has a negative context when people who don’t understand it, or who walk into a museum and see art that is controversial and new. Many of my friends don’t like art because they think it is pretentious. It is my goal to change their minds and teach them anyone can draw with practice.

Some people believe that art is a born talent. I disagree. I believe art is an interest with the potential to be studied, practiced and perfected. I want to show my friends there is a similarity between art and professional careers which require an artist to work hard and put thought onto the canvas. I also want to open their minds to art by letting them put meaning to their own artwork. Sometimes we get mixed up in what something means, and we forget our own opinion matters. If you simplify the problem it becomes much clearer.

The Horseman’s Association art lab is open to the public. We ask people to bring their lunch and some drawing materials. We provide the horse and allow people to pet her afterward. We are hoping to have some foals soon that will attend the drawing labs! We encourage all ages and all levels of experience to attend.

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Get to Know Our Student Staff: Everyone, Meet Micah Damon!

Hi everyone, my name is Micah Damon and I am one of the new museum associates at the OSU Museum of Art. For my first post, I think I’m just gonna introduce myself. I was born in Enid but I’ve lived in Stillwater for almost all my life. I have been in love with art ever since I was little. I have tried my hand at all kinds of art forms, such as scripts for plays, playing musical instruments, and drawing. I hope to be able to either open my own museum or work as an administrator in a performing arts high school. My favorite visual artists include, but not limited to, Evard Munch and Frida Kahlo. If I’m not working or doing school work, I’m probably making a fool of myself with friends. I hope to see some of you guys come through the museum sometime! 💖 

Micah Damon is currently a freshman at OSU studying Arts Administrations. Micah is also a member of Student Advisory Committee, which is the OSUMAs official student organization, working to get students involved in the local art community.

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Why It’s Fun to Bring Friends to a Museum

Hi, my name is Jack and I’m a new Museum Associate at the OSU Museum of Art.  I’ve been lucky enough to travel a bit of the world and see a few world class museums on my travels and my best advice I could give anyone on going to museums, is bring your friends! Going with friends allows you to get other insights on specific pieces or exhibits and allows you to break the stress of some of the more prestigious museums. It’s always fun to have someone to talk to and if you stumble across some art or installations that really disagrees with you, it’s great to have someone to discuss your feelings with and to walk away with. The other great thing about going with friends is the fact that you will just have more fun. Museums often have creative spaces and things to engage people and doing these activities with others only makes them more fun. The time you’ll spend walking around a museum with your friends is unforgettable and makes any day feel successful. When you come to the OSU Museum of Art I look forward to having conversations likes these with you and your friends!

Jack Flanigan is a junior at Oklahoma State University, pursuing a history degree with a minor in art history.

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New Year, New Exhibitions, and New Activities!

Hello everyone and Happy New Year! I would like to start out by welcoming back our students to campus and wish you all good luck in this semester! We are very excited that you are back because from this point on our weekly posts are back on schedule, so don’t forget to check in every Tuesday for new blog posts!

Today, I want to keep everyone in the loop about all the exciting things happening at the museum. First on the list, our new exhibition Washed Up is now open. This exhibition addresses issues of water insecurities and climate change, while stimulating conversations about how water affects human life and our surrounding environment. Washed Up uses a multitude of artistic practices such as sculpture, photographic images, and interactive materials that come together to document the effects of water pollution. In addition, sight specific objects found on the Oklahoma and Kansas shorelines are highlighted through the exhibition to promote a deeper understanding how of water and plastic pollution is a universal issue. Washed Up will be on display January 8th through March 9th.

Next on the agenda, is that our Final Friday Art Crawl will start back up for the new semester on January 25th. This month the crawl will continue to highlight the local businesses in the downtown area and the Stillwater Cultural Arts District.  On top of that, if you are looking to become more involved at the museum, this month is a perfect opportunity for you to meet our Student Advisory Committee members at our tabling the night of the event. If you haven’t heard this group of dedicated students is now an official student organization that contributes to planning exciting events at the museum and helps us find new and creative ways to get students involved in the arts community. In other good new, the OSUMA just hit five years of being open to the community. We hope to celebrate this milestone and the new semester with all of you, at the first 2019 Final Friday Art Crawl! 

Gianna Martucci-Fink is an Education Intern at the OSU Museum of Art, helping to facilitate museum events and create educational programming. She is a junior at Oklahoma State University, working towards a Bachelors Degree in Fine Arts with a Minor in Art History.

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See You Next Year!

It’s been another great semester here at the OSU Museum of Art! We learned about abstract portraiture and landscape in Benjamin Harjo Jr.’s work, and how J. Jay McVicker was a key figure in the modernist movement in the Midwest. We danced in the galleries, got our hands dirty with mud stencils, and made artwork that is by us and for us, all while pursuing our degrees at the same time.

Molly and Sarah exhibited their BFA capstone shows and they’re graduating this weekend. We wish them all the luck! You’ll see some new faces around here when we come back from break...in the meantime, we encourage you to explore a new museum, create a piece of art, and tell us all about it afterward.

Our next post will be on Tuesday, January 15th. From all of the students here at OSUMA, happy holidays and have a lovely New Year!

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Creating a Universal Language: A Visual Analysis

Hello everyone, this is Gianna Martucci-Fink one of your Education Interns! Today I would like to share with you the process in which I examine art. When you get to spend time with the same paintings on a daily basis, you get to understand them pretty well, but the average person only spend about three seconds looking at a work of art! Here at the OSU Museum of Art we want to empower our guests to use the skills of visual analysis when examining different kinds of art! In this blog post I will examine the piece Circumvention created by the artist J Jay McVicker in the exhibition Centering Modernism, that is currently on display in our gallery. 

Using the image at the top for reference, lets get started! At first glance the figures look like loose contort line drawings, but as more time is spent with this work, it is clear what a detail orientated and methodical process it was to create this aquatint print which is an “intaglio printmaking technique, a variant of etching” (Tate.org). The first element that captures the viewer’s attention are stark white lines that when complied make up biomorphic figures in the foreground. All but one figure appears to have individual characteristics, that when abstracted gives clues that tell us their gender. Two figures are depicted as females, evinced by the different characteristics such as curvature lines, wide hips, or even circles on the chest resembling breasts. On the far right, notions of muscular forms and an emphasis on genitalia characterize the body of the male figure. One body in particular though appears to have more detail than the others, as it not only depicts the external body, but also suggests internal anatomy.

Due to this captivating figure, this simple print becomes deeply rooted in reoccurring symbolism that can be seen throughout the ages of art history. Creating circular lines and organic shapes around the stomach, McVicker is putting emphasis on the figures womb, suggesting themes of fertility. It is up to the viewer to decide whether this woman is literally carrying a child, but it a symbolic reference that McVicker commonly uses throughout his work regarding the birth of creativity and a metaphor gendered social roles.

Now shifting to the figure with the least amount of detail is the silhouette form placed in the middle of the page. Although it might appear that this element is not as important as the rest, it does carry significance due to its overriding color of green. From an art historical perspective green is again connected to fertility, growth, and renewal. With this being said, not all viewers of the piece will be aware of this specific correlation, but they will understand how green is also commonly used to suggest themes of nature and earthly elements. But the most peculiar thing about this form is unlike the rest of the bodies, as they do not hold clear gendered markings. When taking into account the thematic coloration and lack of a cisgendered depiction, the circular formation around the silhouette then suggests that this figure is distinctly circumventing or avoiding following traditional gendered traits and roles. The energetic halo that engulfs the figure acts to separate them from the rest of the conforming population, and the green suggests how nonconforming to strictly feminine or masculine roles should also be perceived as natural. 

For McVicker his use of a universal language came out of the turmoil and division of the world due to the after math of World War II. In searching for ways to bring people back together, he saw his art as an opportunity to showcase the universal experience of the social dynamics of gender nonconformity and conformity, constructing the common themes of identity and individuality. 

We are living in a world that places value on language, and with the rise of technology the globe has been more connected than ever. While we are successful at translating languages we might not understand, we do not always get the opportunity to fully understand individuals cross culturally on a completely emotional and expressive level. However when it comes to art, it carries no language barriers, as the artist has the power to reach all people regardless of what language they speak. In this case,  McVicker relies on the ability to evoke personal emotions, thoughts, or ideologies as his messages are left up to the interpretation of the viewer. The visual representation of human beginnings can be recognized on a significant and universal basis, and yet it still has the equally powerful ability to connect with individuals from a concentrated personal perception. 

Come visit this beautiful and complex print in person! The exhibition Centering Modernism will be on display until January 29th, 2019. 

Gianna Martucci-Fink is a Junior at OSU working towards her Bachelors degree in Fine Arts with a minor in Art History. She has been at the OSU Museum of Art for two years and works as an Education Intern. 

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Getting Down to Business

Hey friends! My name is Syd Hammond, and I am a third-year undergraduate student at Oklahoma State. Currently, I am pursuing an Entrepreneurship major and a Studio Art minor. I started on as a gallery guard at the OSU Museum of Art this past July, and this one position has opened so many doors in my student and professional careers. In these past four months, I have been able to participate in several community events, campus organizations, exhibition receptions, and more. Observing the setup of these events, speaking with the students and professionals who organized them—All things I have never been able to see up-close are now a part of my weekly routine. This kind of exposure has bred new exposure for me: in particular, exposure to student art shows and career paths.

The museum associates have been extraordinarily positive and encouraging to each other. Always pushing to create, to engage, and to try. I was able to be featured in a student art show, as pictured, due to this friendly environment the Museum has worked so hard to cultivate. Not only have the students worked hard to help each other, the senior staff members also want nothing but success for every student, employee, and guest. In particular, the senior staff has helped me discover my true calling for a career in museum and collections work—a profession I would have never even considered had I not been blessed with this amazing opportunity with an amazing organization.

I am looking forward to the rest of my time with the OSU Museum of Art and with all my lovely coworkers, who continue to challenge me, encourage me, and raise me to new heights each day.

Syd Hammond is a junior at Oklahoma State. She will graduate in May 2020 with a degree in Entrepreneurship and a minor in Studio Art.

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Art Lover!

Hello my name is Landes Bauter and I am a Junior majoring in Art History at Oklahoma State University! I grew up in the Stillwater community and noticed the lack of art education available to children when I was young. The OSU Museum of Art has really changed that for the community. The museum is a amazing source of education available to the public plus it’s free! Since beginning to work at the museum in August of 2018 I’ve been able to interact with the community through the medium of art. The art museum opens a door for the entire area of Oklahoma, many people who come into our museum have never had the opportunity to interact with art in a museum setting. The museum provides free educational resources to Stillwater students and OSU students. I adore art and through the museum I get to communicate that love and share it with others. I truly believe art is essential to a well rounded, the OSUMA is helping fill that gap in the Stillwater community and I am proud to be a part of that.

Landes Bauter has been working at the museum since 2018. She will graduate in May 2020 with a BA in Art History.