The Frida Effect: Final Days at Philbrook for Kahlo-Rivera Mexican Modernism exhibits

*Community Dialogue Opportunity Scheduled for September 10:

How Frida Taught us to Paint Our Realities — Details follow.

By Glenda Rice Collins (Updated September 2, 2022)

Tulsa, Okla., USA — Last call: FRIDA KAHLO, DIEGO RIVERA, AND MEXICAN MODERNISM continues through September 11, 2022 at Philbrook Museum of Art, featuring: exemplary originals of iconic Frida’s paintings, videos of her beloved Casa Azul residence, and garden (as shown in banner image above), examples of her authentic, heritage-inspired attire, wall-sized reproductions of Rivera’s famed murals, and the couple’s unique Mexican garden-inspired influences visible throughout Philbrook’s vast gardens this summer.

The Philbrook gardens currently bloom with Frida Kahlo and Diego Rivera-inspired plantings, and quotes. Photo by Glenda Rice Collins.

Born into a privileged Mexican lifestyle, the well-educated Frida Kahlo studied to be a doctor, but suffered severe injuries and life-long pain from a traffic accident in her youth, becoming broken, at times bedridden, and yet determined to express herself through her groundbreaking paintings, activism and political involvements. (See also: https://glendaricecollins.com/2019/10/11/the-art-of-recovery-part-ii-inspiration-from-frida-kahlos-garden-path/).

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OKC Lyric Theatre Homecoming Performances Continue with ‘Head Over Heels’ Hijinks

By Glenda Rice Collins

Oklahoma City, Okla., USA — From a high-profile, expanded American Indian-themed outdoor Distant Thunder world premiere to a current COVID pandemic-delayed homecoming return to the indoor Plaza Theater, Lyric Theatre of Oklahoma continues to celebrate dramatic diversity with the ongoing Head Over Heels musical production, continuing through April 30, 2022.

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Art in Bloom blossoms this weekend at Oklahoma City Museum of Art

Annual Festival of Flowers On view for one weekend only, April 8 – 10!

Compiled by Glenda Rice Collins

Oklahoma City, Okla., USA —Art in Bloom 2022 features 13 fresh floral sculptures – each one an interpretation of a work of art on view at the museum. These living sculptures are being created by 13 local florists for the short-term exhibition, opening tomorrow.

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OKC: Get your GLOW on at Scissortail Park this weekend

Compiled by Glenda Rice Collins — Updated April 7, 2022

Community Celebration at Scissortail Park to feature lighted hot air balloons and drones!

Scissortail Springtime in the Park at Dusk: Photo by Glenda Rice Collins.

Oklahoma City, Okla. USA–In conjunction with the currently engaging GLOW interactive, lighted exhibition (continuing through April 10) Allied Arts and Inasmuch Foundation will present a community celebration on Friday, April 8, 7 – 11 p.m. at Scissortail Park, –featuring: a hot air balloon night glow, a synchronized drone light show, glow-in-the-dark art from local makers, live performances, music, food trucks and more. The event is free and open to all ages.

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Ansel Adams in Our Time: New Views Reflected Politically

Iconic images illuminate current social issues through a contemporary lens.

By Glenda Rice Collins

Bentonville, Ark., USA — With memorable images of vast American landscapes now threatened with climate change and exploitation, Ansel Adams in Our Time continues at Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art, through January 3, 2021. The changing landscapes are now reflected among works by his notable peers, past and present.

“All Art is Political” –Hank Willis Thomas

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Crystal Bridges debuts The Momentary, Part II; with ‘Nick Cave: Until’

By Glenda Rice Collins  (Last updated September 20, 2020)

Bentonville, Ark., USA — During a Zoom virtual news media preview discussion Thursday, installation and performance artist Nick Cave, of Soundsuit fame, shared that ”It was not until Michael Brown (2014 fatal shooting victim in Ferguson, Missouri) happened,” that the catalyst for Nick Cave: Until ignited in his mind with the thoughts, “Is there racism in heaven?…and how do we get to heaven? …I threw it to the universe…during a time of transition.” 

Organized by MASS MoCA, the largest and most ambitious project yet from the renowned visionary. opened Saturday at The Momentary, continuing through January 3, 2021, free, with no tickets required. The title Until references the phrase “innocent until proven guilty,” or, a reversal, “guilty until proven innocent,” also addressing gender, race, and gun violence issues in America.

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Crystal Bridges debuts The Momentary, Part I: Political Themes Anew

By Glenda Rice Collins       (Updated February 28, 2020)

Bentonville, Arkansas, USA — While a continuing celebration of community and diversity Lauren with artswirled around Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art (CB) last weekend, as The Momentary, a new satellite museum venue for contemporary art debuted, –political themes loomed large within State of the Art 2020, the new venue’s inaugural exhibition, currently housed within both CB museum locations.  Time Being named the theme for diverse performances at the newly re-purposed Kraft cheese factory, located near the popular 8th Street Market food hub, hangout destination. The synergy now expands!

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Renegades: From Bruce Goff to Sondheim & Lorca 2020

Renegades 2020

Fred Jones Jr. Museum of Art, University of Oklahoma, Norman

By Glenda Rice Collins    (Updated 2-16-20)

Norman, Okla. — Definitions of ‘renegade’ run the gamut from rebel, traitor, and betrayer to the more appropriate concepts for my recent University of Oklahoma arts district observations: revolutionary, radical, and runaway, to define artists, architects, and dramatists, along with musical theater themes and characters.  Continue reading

The Art of Recovery, Part II: Inspiration from Frida Kahlo’s Garden Path

By Glenda Rice Collins   (Updated October 13, 2019)

Bartlesville, Okla., USA — The journey back from illness,  physical injuries, and any of life’s temporary setbacks, can be overwhelming with new demands and limitations; or at times, uplifting, if we remember to ‘stop and smell (and perhaps re-arrange) the roses,’ despite the thorns! Frida Kahlo’s Garden, on view at the Price Tower Arts Center through October 20, 2019, provides new inspiration for a life well-lived with nature, and focus beyond pain.   Continue reading

The Art of Recovery, Part I: From the Beach to Christ Cathedral

By Glenda Rice Collins   (Updated September 27, 2019)

Bartlesville, Okla., USA — Personal injury along with physical and mental duress can derail the best of intentions for a fulfilling life. To restore a semblance of “balance,” — Get thee to a beach, and get back to the arts!  Continue reading