When it comes to local art in this new year, what's next? "Next," to be exact.
"Next," which opened Jan. 1 with a reception serving black-eyed peas, is JRB Art at The Elms' annual New Year's exhibit, described as a vision of Oklahoma's contemporary artistic trends. The show runs through Jan. 26.
"Following Oklahoma's centennial celebration of the arts during 2007, we thought we would start the 2008 calendar year by presenting a select group of contemporary artists that we believe exemplify the content and style of art being created at the beginning of our next 100 years," said Joy Reed Belt, director of JRB Art, in a press release.
PARTICIPANTS
A trio of artists will be spotlighted in "Next":
" Gary Hickerson,
" Keegan Donovan O'Keefe and
" Sohail Shehada.
Formerly an artist at Six Flags, the New Mexico native Hickerson's sculptures are informed by his knowledge of contemporary building materials. He currently works for the famous, often-controversial artist Jeff Koons in New York.
A graduate of Oklahoma Christian University and partner in the design firm Red House Studios, O'Keefe has large-scale acrylic paintings on display, in which he works to incorporate art, design and beauty into everyday life.
Shehada, who holds an architectural degree from the University of Oklahoma, works primarily with bronze and marble. Three of his life-size statues stand in front of the Bizzell Library on the OU campus.
JRB Art, 2810 N. Walker, is open daily except Mondays. For more information, call 528-6336 or visit their site.
"?Rod Lott
