Artists for Literacy

"Art is not what you see, but what you make others see."    

Edgar Degas

A juried art exhibition to bring the power of art to the issue of literacy.

Art will be on exhibit & for sale through November in a Virtual Gallery and at the following metropolitan libraries:

  • Ronald J. Norick Downtown Oklahoma City Library, 300 Park Ave.
  • Midwest City Library, 8143 E Reno Ave.

Awards

Best Representation of Cause
Making Sound Memories
by Diana Robinson
Best of Show
K-O-R-N, That Spells Corn (growing tired of talking)
by Cody Wilson
First Place Two-Dimensional
If I Could Not Read, I Would Not Have Met Them
by Sheryl Cozad
First Place Three-Dimensional
Illiteracy Destroys Lives
by Stephanie Keef
First Place Photography
Through the Window
by VC Tornedon

Honorable Mentions

Suppression
by Kelly Brinkmeyer
Eye Read
by Beverly Kirk
Hero
by Matthew Nelson
Welcoming
by Fatima Islamzay

Support Local Artists & Literacy Efforts

All artworks featured in the exhibition are available for sale, with 60% of the sale price going to the artist and 40% going to the OKC Metro Literacy Coalition to help offset the cost of the exhibition and to support local literacy providers.

All sales are final. Purchased artwork must remain on display at The Art Hall through Oct. 31, 2022, at which time the buyer must arrange to pick up artwork.

Featured Artists

Lisa Lampton Allen
Maria Anderson
Brock Barrett
Sarah Cate Bass
Barbara Benton
Bradley Brauser
Kelly Brinkmeyer
Dennis Burian
Deborah Burian
Brailee Buxton
Henrie Close
Judith Briggs Coker

Sheryl Cozad
Jared Euper
Natalie Evans
Anna Beth Ferguson
Linda Guenther
Calli Heflin
Judith Ide
Fatima Islamzay
Stephanie Keef
Beverly Kirk
Joe Miano
Ruth D. Miano

Matthew Nelson
Sue Oldham
Chad Reynolds
Deke Roberts
Diana Robinson
Sue Scott
VC Torneden
Chandler Watson
Jason White
Clara Wiebe
Cody Wilson

About Artists for Literacy

Artists for Literacy seeks to influence community, public and private sector support for literacy — the capacity to understand, interpret and communicate effectively in order to participate in one's community and wider society. This exhibit will engage local artists to answer the question, “What if I couldn’t read?” through creative submissions for public exhibition.

  • In Oklahoma County, an estimated 12% of the population do not have basic literacy skills.
  • Only 17% of 8th graders and 12% of 4th graders in OKC public schools read proficiently.
  • By the end of the 2020-21 school year, K-12 students were an average four months further behind in reading.

WHAT IF YOU COULDN'T READ? A person who cannot read struggles to find work, to pay bills, to vote, to access health care and to secure housing. The impact of illiteracy is passed down through generations, with a mother's ability to read being one of the greatest predictors of a child's future academic success.

When individuals learn to read, they have the power to lift themselves out of poverty, lower health care costs, find and keep sustainable employment and ultimately change their lives and their family's well-being.

Learn more about the status of literacy in Oklahoma City.

Thank you to our Generous Sponsors!

 

The Grand Gallery (Presenting Sponsor):
The Art Hall

 

Gallery Master:
Irish Realty - Mr. John Kennedy

 

Masterpiece:
Bluebird Consulting - Mr. Steve Mason

 

Patron:
Chickasaw Community Bank

Muse:

 

Ecole de Literacy:
Mr. and Mrs. Kraettli Epperson
Mr. and Mrs. William Shdeed
Mr. and Mrs. Fred P. Schonwald, Jr.

 

Atelier:

 

Assistants Artistes:
Caroline Cohenour
Betsy Hyde Berry
Donna McCampbell
Midwest Insurance Brokers

 

Honorable Mentions