OPSU Hosts Inaugural “Art on the Green” Event to Foster Community Engagement and High School Connection

Oklahoma Panhandle State University made history with its first-ever Art on the Green event, organized by the university's Images Art Club. The event brought together nearly 100 students from six schools across Oklahoma, Texas, and Kansas, offering a day filled with creativity, learning, and artistic exchange. Held on the OPSU campus, this event aimed to showcase diverse creative disciplines and provide students with hands-on experiences guided by OPSU faculty, staff, and students.

Throughout the day, students could observe live demonstrations of various art forms. OPSU students, faculty, and staff presented techniques in raku, leatherworking, encaustic, jewelry-making, printmaking, wheel throwing, and painting. "Art on the Green" was designed to foster a sense of artistic community among students, offering them a chance to engage with peers who share their passion for the arts. The day-long event also allowed students to see and experience techniques they may not have encountered in their home classrooms.

Dean Tracy Kincannon highlighted the event's importance in fostering stronger relationships with high schools and reestablishing OPSU's role in promoting the arts in the region.

"We were thrilled to welcome such talented young artists and their teachers to our campus for this event. Art on the Green was designed to create meaningful connections with our local schools, and it was inspiring to see the students engage so deeply with the art presentations. We hope this event fosters continued interest in the arts, and we look forward to hosting even more schools in the future," Kincannon said.

The event celebrated art and demonstrated community effort and collaboration. Students from the COASN Leadership Council and the OPSU Aggie Ambassadors played a pivotal role in organizing it. They helped check in participants, guided students and their chaperones between demonstrations, and ensured the day ran smoothly.

Dr. Ryan Blanton, Vice President of Advancement, stated, "Thank you to Dean Kincannon and the team that made this event possible. This is a great outreach and recruitment tool highlighting our art department and the individuals supporting it."

Art on the Green also previewed OPSU's two major art events in the spring, the Paul Farrell Memorial Art Auction and the Art Jubilee. By showcasing OPSU's dedication to the arts, the event celebrated student talent and promoted these upcoming opportunities for students to showcase their work further.

The Images Art Club and OPSU plan to make this event an annual tradition, creating an ongoing opportunity for young artists to explore new techniques, collaborate with fellow students, and draw inspiration from the vibrant art community the event fosters.

Photos can be found online!