Sometimes an exhibition of artwork happens outside of the normal gallery or museum setting.
It happened this way at the beginning of the Blue Dome Festival that started with an artist, Virginia Harrison, holding the first show in her front yard, and the event grew to the place where she had to ask Michael Sager to host the event in the Blue Dome District. And the event grew, until it outgrew the neighborhood. Right now, the Maple Ridge Happening is still manageable and is about to happen again on April 20.
Four years ago, the world changed. With the onset of COVID, Tulsa artists experienced the sudden shutdown of galleries, art shows, fundraising events and restaurants. They went from having so many options to show their art to very few options. Artists were staying inside under quarantine but most were still creating and and continuing to build their body of work.
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After a couple of months of shutdown, local artist Pam Watson decided to gather 10 of her friends and hold a gallery show from her driveway, where people could either drive by in their cars or walk around in the open-air exhibit.
In May 2020, the Maple Ridge Art Happening was born. Since then, Watson has held eight shows, and the roster has grown to nearly 50 artists exhibiting their work. Everything you would find at an art fair, you will find at the Maple Ridge Happening. Paintings, fiber art, ceramics, mosaics, sculptures, fashionable clothing, jewelry and baskets will be on exhibit. The neighborhood and community has welcomed this event and is looking forward to the next show on Saturday, April 20.
Among the artists featured are husband and wife team Pamela and Randy Smith. The Smiths are among the 10 original artists to participate in the event. Pamela has had her “Scuttle pots” business for 20 years and over time taught Randy the techniques on mosaic creation. Both retired, Pamela and Randy have separate studio space in their home to allow for a zone all their own. You can find them most weekends at the Tulsa Farmers Market, but, as Pamela says, “Maple Ridge Art Happening is our favorite art event of the year.”
A transplant from Houston, Tim Lincoln is making a splash in the Tulsa art scene with his cubist expressionism style paintings. Originally, Lincoln was a landscape designer, but his true love is painting. He paints every day, all day. Lincoln started participating in the MRH last year after meeting Watson at an art opening. Since then, he has participated in other community shows and just finished a solo show at Price Gallery.
Timothy Nevaquaya, a Comanche and Chickasaw/Choctaw artist and musician, found his signature painting style by accident. After working on a piece using his normal method, he smudged the paints on the canvas, which created a whole new look.
“I saw a different abstract appearance in my work,” Nevaquaya said.
So began his journey with his latest style of his personal expression of movement and form in contemporary Native American art. Nevaquaya has performed and shown his work in places such as the American Indian dance theater, Smithsonian National Museum of the American Indian, the Gilcrease Museum of Western Art, Philbrook Museum and in galleries in New Mexico and Oklahoma.
New to the show is Gina Alusi, a full-time mixed-media artist residing in Tulsa. Alusi, originally from Colombia, moved to the U.S eight years ago.
“My passion lies in experimenting and continuously creating,” Alusi said. Her subjects focus on her love for animals and empowerment of women, symbolizing themes of love, kindness and strength. Currently, Alusi has a solo show at the Deco Lounge and recently exhibited at the “She Makes Art” show at Liggett Gallery.
The Maple Ridge Happening will be held from 8 a.m to 4 p.m. April 20 at 215 E. 29th St.