Oklahoma high school students are displaying artwork at Eleanor Hays Art Gallery, NOC Tonkawa, from March 2-April 3 in conjunction with the Oklahoma Arts Institute’s Tour de Quartz exhibition.The thirty-eight works featured in Tour de Quartz was created during the 2022 Oklahoma Summer Arts Institute (OSAI), a prestigious arts academy held each summer at Quartz Mountain State Park & Lodge in southwestern Oklahoma.During their time at OSAI, students are immersed in one of eight artistic disciplines and taught by nationally renowned artists. Former faculty members include winners of the Pulitzer Prize and the Academy, Tony, Emmy, and Grammy awards. Visual artist Marwin Begaye of Norman served as drawing & painting instructor for the 2022 Institute, while Tempe-based photographer Kari Wehrs instructed photography students.This summer, drawing & painting students received indepth training in printmaking techniques as well as pastels from guest artist Holly Wilson. In addition to digital photography, students in Wehrs’ class explored a variety of historical processes including photograms and cyanotypes. The 2022-23 Tour de Quartz exhibit reflects the students’ OSAI experience, with each student artist represented by one piece of artwork.Students are selected for OSAI through competitive statewide auditions, and every accepted student attends the program on full scholarship. Auditions are held in January and February online and at locations across the state Eleanor Hays Art Gallery, located in the Kinzer Performing Arts Center, is open 1 to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday and during evening and weekend events in the KPAC Auditorium. Admission is free. Contact gallery director Audrey Schmitz at 580-628-6670 or audrey.schmitz@noc.edu for more information. To learn more about the Oklahoma Arts Institute or the Tour de Quartz, visit oaiquartz.org or call (405) 605-7500.The Oklahoma Arts Institute is a private, nonprofit organization founded in 1977, with a mission to provide exceptional multidisciplinary arts experiences that develop individual talent and inspire a lifelong passion for the arts. In addition to the Summer Arts Institute, OAI administers a series of continuing education workshops for adults every fall.
