WHO’S YOUR HERO?
To volunteer a work of art for the City Arts Center’s “Heroes and Outlaws: 100 Oklahomans By 100 Oklahomans,” call Clint Stone at 951-0000. The exhibit is planned for Nov. 17 through Jan. 6 in the Eleanor Kirkpatrick Gallery, 3000 Pershing Blvd.
Seabourn is working on sculptor Allan Houser.
Jason Memoli is trying to reach Brad Pitt. And Sue Clancy already has a commitment from author Billie Letts.
This is not a movie in the making, but instead plans for an art exhibit of 100 famous and infamous Oklahomans to be displayed at City Arts Center at Fair Park in November.
So far, no one has picked up Barry Switzer or "Alfalfa Bill Murray. And rock star Steve Miller had to be scratched from the list. He hasn't really lived in the state, said Clint Stone, the center's artistic director.
To recognize the state's centennial in 2007, Stone envisioned paintings, statues, sculpture, depicting the likenesses of well-known Oklahomans.
The center lacks 25 Oklahoma artists to depict 25 more famous names with state ties.
The idea for the exhibit came to Stone while pondering the number 100, as in 100 years of statehood, he said. The list of names includes Dizzy Dean, Johnny Bench and Henry P. Iba on the hero side. Clyde Barrow and Bonnie Parker and the lesser-known Elmer McCurdy are on the outlaw side.
An exhibit of famous Oklahomans wouldn't be complete without Will Rogers.
Oklahoma City artist Brent Learned, who has a studio near Will Rogers Park, is touching up an oil painting of the famed humorist and native son.
Rogers is depicted in a pose that mixes the famous grin and Learned's imagination.
"It is definitely a Will Rogers that you haven't seen before, Learned said.
Artist and fashion designer Nicole Moan is working on a ceramic sculpture of "Bonnie and Clyde. Even though they weren't born in the state, they were notorious here, Stone said.
The artists picked to contribute to the exhibit aren't paid, though they will be able to sell their works at the show. Several of the living people who will be depicted have said they plan to attend the opening, including author Billie Letts, Stone said.
"I hope this brings togetherness for everyone working in the arts all over the state and not just in the big cities, Stone said. "And I hope it helps school kids realize that you can do anything and be anyone you want to be.
The project has resulted in hours of "fun research, Stone said.
He said he started out with a list of 400 names of famous people. The list is down to about 160 candidates now. Artists also can offer their own ideas of who they want to depict.
"About 50 percent of the time I say, Yeah, get on board on this thing,' Stone said.
When artist Thomas of Blanchard decided to make a sculpture of Oklahoma City artist Seabourn, Seabourn then decided to pitch in with a painting of
