Oklahoma Arts Institute at Quartz Mountain

This past Saturday was Visitors’ Day at the Summer Arts Institute, and lots of VIPs made the trip to Quartz Mountain.  Visitors toured classes, attended a special dinner and program, and saw the OSAI chorus and orchestra perform.  Our students, faculty, and staff were excited to welcome our VIPs to Quartz Mountain and show them how their support makes OSAI possible.

Oklahoma Arts Council Executive Director Kim Baker took a class tour and visited with drawing & printmaking students Aubrey Ginsterblum and Alex Hazel.  The Oklahoma Arts Council has supported OSAI since its inception.

Photography student Johnathan Wilkerson demonstrates a photo transfer technique to (from left) President Julie Cohen, board member Suzanne McAuley of Norman, Oklahoma Arts Council Executive Director Kim Baker, and board member Adrienne Barnett of Tulsa.

OAI Board Chairman Mike Joseph visited with OSAI student Maris Mills at the VIP dinner.

Speaker-Designate of the Oklahoma House of Representatives T.W. Shannon gave the keynote address at the VIP dinner.  His wife Devon and his two children also visited Quartz Mountain.  OAI is supported through a unique public/private partnership and receives a significant portion of its scholarship funding through the state of Oklahoma via the Oklahoma State Department of Education.

The evening concluded with a phenomenal concert by the OSAI chorus and orchestra.  Highlights included the chorus’ rendition of Mendelssohn’s Weihnachten and the orchestra’s performance of Stravinsky’s Firebird suite.  Both groups received standing ovations.

The Oklahoma Arts Institute sincerely thanks all of our donors, board members, and supporters for their dedication to OAI’s mission to provide exceptional multidisciplinary arts experiences that develop individual talent and inspire a lifelong passion for the arts.