Open Studio for Adult Artists

Gilcrease Museum is offering a new program for adult artists to gather and work on their pieces in an open studio, with feedback available from consulting artist Louise Higgs.

Attention all artists! Gilcrease Museum is offering a new program for adult artists to gather and work on their pieces in an open studio, with feedback available from consulting artist Louise Higgs. The Open Studio for Adult Artists will take place in the Gilcrease House twice a month on Tuesdays from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. This month’s sessions will be held February 8 and 15.

“We have been discussing the idea for a casual artist ­atmosphere for about a year and a half,” explains Lanette Coppage, director of education and public programs for Gilcrease Museum. “Gilcrease has always offered adult studio classes for beginner and intermediate artists, but this is our first ongoing forum specifically for artists.”

The open studio is designed for those who identify themselves as artists – art is their passion, or may even be their primary profession. “The open studio would be a perfect place for artists who work in a certain medium and would like to take their technique in a ­different direction, or if they are struggling with a challenge and would like feedback from other artists.”         

Artists are invited to come and go as they please, and no fee is charged. “One of our goals for the open studio was to develop a program that would, in essence, continue Thomas Gilcrease’s legacy of supporting advancement of the arts within our community. For example, Mr. Gilcrease was an advocate for many Native American artists. Tulsa has a very rich arts community, and our new program is an exciting way for us to continue Mr. Gilcrease’s tradition of supporting local artists,” explains Lanette.

The open studio provides artists the opportunity to gather in a studio and work at their leisure. “The program also allows the artist community to stay connected and give feedback to one another,” adds Lanette.

Consulting artist Louise Higgs will be on hand to offer guidance and criticism for those who desire it. According to Lanette, criticism is essential in art – criticism that provides enlightenment can improve the art piece and the artist. “I have known Louise Higgs for a long time, and she is a spectacular person and artist,” says Lanette. “One of the reasons we chose her for this program is her broad scope of artist experiences. She has worked in hospital art therapy programs, taught amateur artists of all ages, including children and teens, facilitated conversations with professional artists, and worked with virtually all art mediums. She is very positive and always well-received. Louise can speak to many different types of artists and has the ability to provide constructive criticism that is beneficial to them. Her versatile experience and friendly, calming personality make her the ideal person for launching this program.”

Lanette and the other members of the education department are excited to be beginning the new program and are interested to see the range of participants. A native Tulsan, Lanette worked at Philbrook Museum for six years, and has been at Gilcrease for six years. She earned her master’s in art curriculum and instruction from Oklahoma State University.

Gilcrease Museum offers a variety of programs for the community, including classes, films, gallery talks, lectures, live performances and more. “We try to add at least one new program each year for the different audience categories we serve. Our programs really run the gamut and are geared for the casual museum visitor, those interested in a specific topic, up-and-coming artists, and professional artists.”

If you’re an artist looking to gather with others in the art community, stop by the Open Studio for Adult Artists, beginning February 8 from 4 to 7 p.m. Future dates are February 15, March 8 and 22, April 12 and 19, and May 10 and 17. You may park in the south parking lot and go right into the Gilcrease House. The program will take place twice a month on Tuesdays, and there is no charge to drop in and work. For more information, visit ­www.gilcrease.org.

If you are interested in receiving program information from Gilcrease, please send an email with “ADD TO PROGRAM LIST” in the subject line to eat0@eau0eav0eaw0.

For more information, contact

Gilcrease Museum

1400 N. Gilcrease Museum Rd.

Tulsa, OK 74127

(918) 596-2737

eat1@eau1eav1eaw1
www.gilcrease.org