Fine arts and theater notes, June 24

Gallery to host artist talk

An artist talk with Jack Fowler is 2 to 3 p.m. June 30 at JRB Art at the Elms, 2810 N Walker Ave.

Fowler was born in Ada and raised in eastern Oklahoma. He worked as a journalist, schoolteacher, cowboy and musician before becoming a full-time artist in 2011. Since then, his work has been shown from Arizona to Uganda. Known for his colorful, pop-art style portraits and landscapes, Fowler has also created three large murals in downtown Oklahoma City.

For more information about the event, go to facebook.com/events/2071011276552801.

Theater to stage ‘brilliant' comedy

Carpenter Square Theatre presents “My Brilliant Divorce” by Geraldine Aron, a heartwarming comedy following the exploits of Angela, a 39-year-old American in London whose British husband leaves her for an exotic, 20-something woman. Performances run June 29-July 21 at the theater, 800 W Main St. The play is rated PG-13.

In conjunction with the play, an exhibit in the lobby gallery features the work of Lacy Gustafson, an Edmond artist and schoolteacher. The exhibit will be on view starting one hour before each performance and by appointment Tuesday-Friday afternoons.

Tickets are $25 with $20 tickets available for seniors aged 62 or older, military and groups of 10 or more. Educator tickets are $10 and students are $5. Reservations are recommended. For tickets, call 232-6500 or email csttix@coxinet.net. For more information, go to carpentersquare.com.

‘Revolutionists' has all-female cast

Four women — an assassin, a spy, a writer and Marie Antoinette — hang out, plot murder and try to beat back extremist insanity in Paris in Lauren Gunderson's “The Revolutionists,” running July 5-21 at Oklahoma Shakespeare in the Park, 2920 Paseo.

Acting in the face of injustice, they give their lives to protect freedom and equality, and stand up for what they believe in, all while being hilarious during fractured political times.

Tickets are $25 on Thursday and Sunday and $30 on Friday and Saturday, with discounts available for groups of 10 or more, seniors, students, military and educators. For tickets, go to oklahomashakespeare.com.

Exhibit shares history of Native American club

TAHLEQUAH — The Cherokee Heritage Center, 21192 S Keeler Drive in Park Hill, presents its new exhibit, “Cherokee Recollections: The Pocahontas Club.”

Cherokee Nation Tribal Councilor Keith Austin said the exhibit is an honor to the history and mission of the Indian Women's Pocahontas Club and those behind the organization.

“For almost 120 years, the club has been devoted to promoting the education and well-being of the Cherokee people and preserving our culture and history,” Austin said. “It is fitting that this exhibit will ensure their rich story is shared with many and preserved for future generations.”

The exhibit runs through Aug. 4. For more information, go to CherokeeHeritage.org.

Sculpture to welcome guests to new library

NORMAN — Norman's latest public artwork — made possible by the Norman Forward 1% for Art program — will greet visitors at the new East Branch Norman Public Library, which opens to the public July 20. A dedication to the sculpture, titled "Prairie Wind," is at 10:30 a.m. June 28.

Illinois-based artist James Johnson has been fabricating the sculpture since being chosen last summer. The project team encouraged artwork that would complement the beauty of the site and the architecture of the building, expressing a spirit of wonderment, curiosity and learning inherent to all libraries.

The artwork is 14 feet tall and weighs about 4,000 pounds, making it clearly visible to street traffic and visitors.

State Capitol's first sculpture reinstalled

Following six months of extensive professional rehabilitation and facilitated by the Oklahoma Arts Council, the sculpture “Tribute to Range Riders” was reinstalled to its pedestal on the south plaza of the state Capitol on June 11.

Unveiled in 1930, the piece by noted American female sculptor Constance Whitney Warren was the Capitol's first sculpture and first exterior piece. Having greeted visitors to the building for nearly 90 years, age and exposure to the elements took a toll on the sculpture.

A formal unveiling ceremony led by Gov. Mary Fallin is at 10.m. July 31 on the Capitol's south plaza. For more information, call 521-2037 or go to arts.ok.gov.

Fund to help two artists travel

NORMAN — Oklahoma artists Mayumi Kiefer and Solomon Mahlatini will have their travels to Utah and Mexico City, respectively, funded to further their artistic practices, thanks to the Norman Arts Council-administered O. Gail Poole Memorial Travel Fund.

The award began in 2014 to honor the late Norman painter O. Gail Poole, a longtime proponent of artists seeing the world.

Kiefer is a Norman-based ceramic artist who has exhibited and had residencies in Japan, France, Ohio, Utah, Oklahoma and more.

Mahlatini is a talented artist who has shown in exhibitions in Florida, Georgia, Michigan, New York, California, Oklahoma and Washington, D.C.

Biblical musical takes Armstrong stage

EDMOND — Herbert W. Armstrong College plans the musical production “Undefeated — The Story of Isaiah and Hezekiah” at 2 p.m. Aug. 12 in Armstrong Auditorium. The original production is presented in conjunction with the archaeological exhibit, “Seals of Isaiah and King Hezekiah Discovered.”

The musical was composed by Armstrong College music director Ryan Malone and is a revision of a 2015 musical “The Book of Isaiah.” The sweeping score uses Isaiah's poetry to tell the story of Jerusalem's most miraculous liberation under the leadership of King Hezekiah and Isaiah.

Tickets are $10 for adults and $5 for children 12 and under. Children under age 3 are not permitted in the theater.

Artist's photograph selected for national juried show

EDMOND — Edmond Artist Marsha Mueller has been selected to exhibit in the After Dark 7 annual juried art show at Greg Moon Gallery in Taos, New Mexico. Her photograph “Solar Eclipse” is one of 40 artworks chosen from several hundred entries by 26 artists nationwide.

The show celebrates the theme of darkness and how the artist reacts to it as a concept. Mueller's photo depicts the eerie effects of the dark and light shadows during the 2017 solar eclipse. The show runs through June 30.

In addition to photography, Mueller works in other media including painting and sculpture from her Redbud Art Studio in Edmond.

FROM STAFF REPORTS