In 2009, Women of the South, an organization dedicated to enriching the South OKC metro area, agreed to raise money to help with the construction of the new theater, and is well on its way, said Mary Pointer, publicity officer for the group. Thirty percent of proceeds will benefit OCCC’s venue.

“We’ve made tremendous progress so far, and we’re really excited to have Desmond working with us,” Pointer said. “His artwork is so vibrant and fresh. It has a lot of emotion behind it.”

“The Desmond Mason Art Show,” which will be held from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. in an event space at 1110 N. Broadway, is estimated to attract between 700 and 800 attendees. Pointer said this amount of support is important, given the cause.

“The arts are the heart and soul of the community,” she said. “If we keep putting effort into it, Oklahoma City can become just as much an arts destination as Dallas or New York. That’s what we’re trying to do.”

For more information, call 641-9447 or visit womenofthesouth.org.

—Courtney Silva

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