Gilcrease Museum Features John Ford Film Festival This Weekend

John Ford is one of the most important American film directors in our country’s cinematic history. Starting from the silent film era, he directed more than 140 films in his lifetime! This weekend, the Gilcrease Museum is honoring and celebrating his work during a two-day film festival featuring some of his greatest movies.

The film festival is scheduled for Saturday, March 7, and Sunday, March 8, from 12:00pm to 4:45pm each day. It will be taking place at the Tom Gilcrease Jr. Auditorium and is free to the public with no registration is required.

On Saturday, the first film starts screening at noon, the 1939 United Artists movie “Stagecoach”. At 2:45pm, the festival will show the 1948 MGM movie, “3 Godfathers”. On Sunday, the show will start with the 1949 RKO film “She Wore a Yellow Ribbon,” and at 2:45pm, it will feature the 1962 MGM movie “The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance.”

There will be a pre-event noontime talk on Friday, March 7, where author Joseph Malham will be available to answer questions and share his book “John Ford – Poet in the Dessert.”

-Decopolis Studios
Drop By Sometime:  607 S Boston Ave., Tulsa, OK
Give Us a Ring: 918-382-7388

Downtown Tulsa Will Soon Feature Largest Collective Art in Oklahoma

Public artwork contributes to the overall beauty of a community because it creates a place where people can gather to appreciate culture with one another. In downtown Tulsa, a huge art project is underway that will soon result in the largest piece of collective art in the State of Oklahoma.

The artwork will cover the exterior brick wall of the 108 Contemporary gallery in the Brady Arts District. Though art lends itself to so many different materials, this time, the artists involved will be sticking strictly to yarn to create a larger than life landscape scene.

The art project called “The Unbearable Absence of Landscapes” is being led by Romy Owens. The huge blanket of yarn will span more than 3,000 square feet and will contain more than 3,500 squares of yarn by a group of knitters in different shades of blue and green to create one massive landscape. The piece will be on display at First Friday Art Walk on March 6th.

-Decopolis Studios
Drop By Sometime:  607 S Boston Ave., Tulsa, OK
Give Us a Ring: 918-382-7388

Fun Facts About Art Deco

Art Deco was an influential arts movement that was very popular in the ’20s, ’30s, and ’40s. Tulsa is a shining example of the architecture of that era, and architecture students and tourists travel from all over the world to see it. The design style is characterized by bright patterns, colors, and bold geometric shapes.

Below are some fun facts about Art Deco:

• The name Art Deco is derived from the French phrase “Art Decoratif”. The visual style was first exhibited in Paris in 1925 during the Exposition Internationale des Arts Decoratifs Industriels Modernes.
• Aside from architecture and buildings, Art Deco style has also incorporated in other areas, including furniture, jewelry, clothing, and automobiles.
• Striking geometric shapes are one of the most defining aspects of Art Deco style.
• Art Deco architecture and decor commonly use shiny metals in their bold patterns.
• By World War II, Art Deco styles were fading out of fashion. However, the bold designs were revived during the late ’60s and have been an influence to many artists and designers ever since.
• Art Deco designs even spread into fonts and layouts, making posters and ads from its era very distinctive. The typical Art Deco font style creates a balance between the thickness and the thinness of the parts of a single letter.
• Classic Art Deco style is full of rectangular forms that are arranged in geometric fashion configurations, and then artistically adorned with curved elements.
• In Art Deco architecture, wall openings are often filled with glass blocks, allowing daylight to come in. Windows have either a square punctured opening or a round one.

-Decopolis Studios
Drop By Sometime:  607 S Boston Ave., Tulsa, OK
Give Us a Ring: 918-382-7388

Tulsa Foundation for Architecture Hosts Second Saturday Architectural Tours in Tulsa

Tulsa prides itself on its beautiful and historical architecture. In Downtown Tulsa, you can find everything from world-famous art deco buildings to midcentury modern designs, all weaving together to create the city’s unique architectural landscape.

To create greater awareness of Tulsa’s art deco buildings, the Tulsa Foundation for Architecture will be hosting guided tours every Second Saturday of the month, coinciding with the Deco District’s Second Saturday festivities. These guided tours will be led by Ted Reeds and will feature a variety of architectural beauties. The tour guide will offer a lot of interesting information and enlighten participants with little-known facts about the buildings.

This month’s guided tour falls on Valentine’s Day and offers the perfect opportunity to do something fun and different with your Valentine or friends. The tour will start at Topeca Coffee in the Mayo Hotel, and the cost is $10 per person. All proceeds will go toward the Tulsa Foundation for Architecture.

After you enjoy an architectural tour of the city, make your way to 6th & Boston and visit us at Decopolis, where we offer many vintage and art deco-inspired gifts, ranging from greeting cards and books to vintage toys and home decor.

-Decopolis Studios
Drop By Sometime:  607 S Boston Ave., Tulsa, OK
Give Us a Ring: 918-382-7388

Oklahoma Arts Council Offers Free After-School Arts Program in Tulsa

As you look back through time, one of the things that helps you understand the culture and people of any given era is their art. It offers a glimpse into a moment in time – what was happening historically, how people viewed things, what types of innovations were taking place. That’s why the continued support of the arts is so important, and one of the ways to do that is to instill an appreciation for art in children.

Many children are enthusiastic about art and have the desire to express themselves through more than one medium. Not all children, however, have the same access to the arts and the resources to develop their own skills. In order to provide children with equal access to the arts, the Oklahoma Arts Council is offering a free after-school program in Tulsa. ArtCore Studios is an after-school program that teaches kids art through three different approaches: visual art, music, and video.

ArtCore Studios is geared toward creative students in middle and high school, who show a propensity and desire for art. The program teaches students about installation, video art, performance art, and music. Students are taught to think outside the box and create new ideas to incorporate into a final collaborative project.

The free after-school art program will have its orientation / brainstorming session this coming Sunday, February 1, at Living Arts, located at 307 E Brady in the Tulsa Brady Arts District. The orientation will be at 2pm, and after that, classes will be held every Tuesday and Thursday from 4:30pm to 6:30pm for 6 weeks.

-Decopolis Studios
Drop By Sometime:  607 S Boston Ave., Tulsa, OK
Give Us a Ring: 918-382-7388

A Resurgence in Mid-Century Modern Architecture

Homes these days are looking back to the past when it comes to architectural and interior design inspiration. There has been a particularly noticeable resurgence in the Mid-Century Modern style in everything from furniture and home decor to architectural lines and structural designs in new homes.

Below are some fascinating facts about Mid-Century Modern Architecture:

• Mid-Century Modern captures the years between the 1940s and 1960s.
• Sunburst mirrors are a classic staple of this style. They are characterized by a circular mirror surrounded by pieces of metal or other materials projecting from all sides, giving the illusion of a sun’s rays.
• The most popular wall color for a toned down Mid-Century Modern living room is white. Palettes of white set a clean tone, which mirrors the clean lines of the furniture and architecture.
• Oval tables are the most classic shape for that type of furniture, but triangular tables are also very popular. When it comes to tables, one of the biggest considerations is incorporating something without hard edges – rounded edges are key.
• Windows are best left bare and without any window treatments.
• The Mid-Century Modern style started after World War II, when there began to be more experimentation and innovation in building. The introduction of plywood was a huge development. People also began embracing more open floor plans in their homes.
• Larger windows, flat roofs, and multiple outdoor views are some of the key elements in Mid-Century Modern architecture.
• Some of the most prominent materials used in the Mid-Century Modern style are glass, plastic, and plexiglass.

-Decopolis Studios
Drop By Sometime:  607 S Boston Ave., Tulsa, OK
Give Us a Ring: 918-382-7388

Theatre Pops Presents August:Osage County at Tulsa PAC

We’re book fans here at Decopolis, especially by Oklahoma authors, so we’re excited that Theatre Pops is presenting August: Osage County at the Tulsa Performing Arts Center this weekend and next!

The story is based on Oklahoma playwright and author, Tracy’s Letts’s, Pulitzer Prize and Tony Award-winning play. A vanished father, a pill-popping mother, and three sisters harboring dark secrets take the audience on a wild ride through extreme family dynamics and Oklahoma references that are both awe-inspiring and simultaneously relatable.

The Weston family is forced to reunite on their homestead under the big skies of Osage County after Dad disappears. And, as the family digs deeper into the situation, long-repressed conflicts and secrets emerge within the walls of the family home, offering a glimpse into the dark side of the Midwestern American family.

The Theatre Pops presentation is directed by Meghan Hurley and stars a stellar local cast.  All performances are being held at the Liddy Doenges Theatre at the Tulsa PAC, and shows are on January 8th-10th and 15th-17th at 7:30pm. Matinee performances will be held on January 11th and 18th at 2:00pm. Tickets can be purchased on the Tulsa PAC website or box office.

-Decopolis Studios
Drop By Sometime:  607 S Boston Ave., Tulsa, OK
Give Us a Ring: 918-382-7388

Artwork from the Oklahoma Capitol Art Collection Undergoes Restoration

One of the things that makes Tulsa so special is its flourishing arts and humanities scene, but if you’re looking for a fun day trip, Oklahoma City also has some notable art to experience. The artwork in the Oklahoma Capitol Art Collection brings to life the colorful history of our great state and features the artistic talent that Oklahoma has produced over theyears. The collection offers visual and educational insight into the various events, places, and people who, in some way, have helped shape the history of Oklahoma.

One of the keys to sustaining the quality of the collection’s artwork is proper curation, and the Edmond Chapter of Questers International has recently chosen several pieces from the Capitol Art Collection for a restoration project. Questers International is a nonprofit organization that helps preserve artifacts, buildings, and other historical items and structures through donated funding. The pieces that have been chosen for preservation maintenance are a sculpture of Kate Barnard, a painting of Te Ata, and bronze busts of past governors.

Kate Barnard was the first woman in American history to be elected to a state office, and she served as the Oklahoma Commissioner of Charities and Corrections. Te Ata was a Chickasaw storyteller, who performed twice for President Franklin Roosevelt and toured Europe and South America. The 24 bronze busts of the state’s past governors honor the history of leadership that has presided over our great state.  The sculptures will be cleaned and waxed, and the painting will receive attention for an abnormal impression in the canvas.

These preservation actions are intended to make Oklahoma’s historical art available to the public for generations to come. You can view the full collection on display at the capitol every day of the year, free of charge.

-Decopolis Studios
Drop By Sometime:  607 S Boston Ave., Tulsa, OK
Give Us a Ring: 918-382-7388

Collection of Bronze Sculptures Coming to the Tulsa Gilcrease Museum

If you’re a fan of bronze sculpture or enjoy North American art, you’re in luck. An art exhibit of over 200 small bronze sculptures is going on display at the Tulsa Gilcrease Museum starting this weekend and will be featuring the masterpieces of American sculptors like Thomas Ball, Frederic Remington, Paul Wayland Bartlett, Henry Kirke Brown, and Charles M. Russell.

The Gilcrease museum will display the sculptures along with a history of each sculptor and the development of the American bronze casting industry. The exhibit will go into the different types of bronze casting ranging from manual techniques all the way to technology-based approaches. It will also explain the methods of each individual sculptor and how the artists took varied approaches to their craft through both process and material.

The bronze sculpture exhibit will open this Sunday, December 21, and run through March 23, 2015. The Gilcrease Museum is located at 1400 N. Gilcrease Museum Road in Tulsa.

-Decopolis Studios
Drop By Sometime:  607 S Boston Ave., Tulsa, OK
Give Us a Ring: 918-382-7388