Patrons, Art Lovers, Christmas present shoppers, Wheelers & dealers…here’s your chance to help raise money for our Community Driven art space in a show with all original works, ranging from oil paintings to pottery, starting under $100. The funds raised will be used to continue providing a comfortable work environment for OKC artists as well as building out more space, creating storage and assisting in community efforts such as Oklahoma’s Foster Care Program and other local endeavors.

It will be an atmosphere with warm drink, specialty foods and local acoustic acts including Matt Lowery. These artists are some of OKC’s finest and rarely ever have original pieces offered at these prices. Want to buy local for a loved one’s X-mas gift? Here’s your chance! Resident artists Phillip Danner, Joe Garcia, Tommy Poole, Kaleen Ezelle, Jerrod Smith and TIm Krause will be featuring their works. In addition we will have “Friends of The Society” participating as well. These artists will include Andy Boatman, Julie Robertson, Ryan Cunningham, Bjorn Bauer, Amanda Christine, Dylan and Amanda Bradway and other wonderful OKC artists.

DEC. 9TH DURING LIVE ON THE PLAZA.

5PM-7PM BEAT THE RUSH AND COME BID ON YOUR FAVORITE PIECE DURING OUR 2 HOUR “CHILL” TEMPO BIDDING. PIECES BIDDED ON DURING THESE TWO HOURS WILL BE FROZEN ON THE LAST BID RIGHT AT 7PM SO THAT MEANS *****FIRST COME FIRST SERVE*******

7PM-11PM WE’LL START OUR MORE UP TEMPO TIME AND GET THE REMAINING WORKS OF ART FLYING OFF THE WALL.

Here’s a nice little comment from a blog I found about buying local art: So true.

“Without the support of the immediate market in this city, artists who are not independently wealthy will find it almost impossible to spread out and find success in other comparable markets like Kansas City & Dallas, or larger markets like Chicago and New York. Thinking about this in economic terms helps by envisioning a single artist like a start up company. As the smart company begins selling product, they allocate money towards advertising outside of their immediate market, thus stimulating interest. An artist does this by entering national juried shows, and being a part of group shows in galleries. When a company is doing well in one market, it may have the available funding to expand business in another region. This would correspond in the art world to an artist being represented by a gallery or dealer in another city. Without the initial capital being raised in this market, many Oklahoma City artists will never be able to take their ability to higher levels and “export” their work from Oklahoma City into different markets.”

Shout out to Nathan Poppe for the killer video. He’s a great guy and I”m looking forward to doing more with him in the future. Check out more of his work HERE.

-J

Recently I sat down with the guys from Keep It Local and began to discuss this idea they had of taking something as simple as at-shirt and doing a limited run with a special design from a handful of talented Oklahoma artists.  Flatteringly enough they put me in that scope and decided  to ask me to be the first to illustrate an image that would only be printed on 48 shirts, featuring an original artist series tag on the back with my signature.  I began to think of what I should do, trying to keep OKC in mind, and I ended up almost every time I sat down to brainstorm drawing out bicycles. It seems that the idea of Local shopping and commuting via bicycle went hand in hand. Because I love old things I decided to go with the big wheel bicycle and feature a few of the items you would find discounts on with your keep it local card.  So a basket full of local items and  a flag with script reading none other than “Keep it Local” and there you have it!  Thanks again Bryce Bandy and Chris Branson for thinking of me to get this project kicked off!  Support these guys every chance you get and don’t forget to “Keep It Local!”

Be sure to check out more of my merch. and artwork in my online store here. To purchase this limited t-shirt e-mail the guys at info@keepitlocalok.com.

The other print article I really enjoyed was from The Norman Transcript.  Kendall Kalashnikov did a killer job on the article and really become as much of a fan of us as we became of her!  Check that article out by clicking the image below.

It is crazy how fast all of this has moved.  The idea for the space is about 7 years old but the actual name and plan is only 4 months or so old.  I have been in the space myself for only 2 months and we have had artists working for a meager one month.  It’s crazy how doors have opened and needs met.  I guess OKC is a little more thirsty that I thought they were for a place to join in community, express themselves, create, sell, buy and support the arts.

I am going to try to keep up more with blogging because honestly, there is so much to share lately.  I hope to see you back here soon!

-Jerrod

Thanks to Sam Duregger for being a huge supporter of what I do and always finding ways to highlight my work.  Click HERE to check out the interview.