Art on the Hill returns this weekend to the Rogers State University Claremore campus featuring area artists displaying and selling their works, along with artist demonstrations, live music, theatre, food and family fun.
The two-day festival will be held from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturday, and noon to 4 p.m. Sunday in Baird Hall on the RSU campus in Claremore. All events are open to the public and free, except for admission to the RSU Theatre production.
Artwork in a variety of media will be on display and for sale in Baird Hall, which is home to the university’s Department of Fine Arts. Event organizers say the fall date for Art on the Hill provides a good opportunity for shoppers to pick up one-of-a-kind holiday gifts.
Art on the Hill is sponsored by Union Pacific, the Oklahoma Arts Council, the RSU Department of Fine Arts and the RSU Foundation. Proceeds from the event benefit students from the RSU Department of Fine Arts.
Artist demonstrations will be held throughout the weekend for those who want to see art being made or wish to learn techniques from local artists as well as faculty from the RSU Fine Arts department faculty.
Saturday’s schedule includes a painting demonstration from Claremore’s John Hammer, who has quickly made a name for himself for his vibrant and dynamic works featuring notable regional figures and international pop culture icons. His painting demonstration from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. in Baird Hall.
Saturday demonstrations also include a 2:30 p.m. printmaking demonstration from Sharon Childress, an RSU alumna who is now a freelance graphic designer and printmaker. Influenced by Frida Kahlo and Andy Warhol, her strongest works are her silk screens posters that contain elements of design, layout, structure, themed (references) and hands on work.
Associate Professor Bryce Brimer will demonstrate ceramics making at 3:30 p.m. and Assistant Professor Ahn-Thuy Nguyen will demonstrate solar photography printmaking at 4:30 p.m. On Sunday, Professor Gary Moeller will demonstrate oil painting at 3 p.m.
Members of the RSU Student Art Association are organizing children’s art activities with hands-on, “take home” projects for children of all ages. Tulsa Repertory Musicals will be performing “Forever Plaid” for area schools invited for the one-day performance on Friday morning.
RSU Fine Arts alumni also will be highlighted in the RSU Alumni Art Exhibition, which will open at 6 p.m. Friday night with a reception in the Foundation Gallery in Baird Hall.
Alumni artists scheduled to have work shown include: Kolby Anderson, Clint Barker, Kalyn Barnoski, Michelle Bradsher, Beth Brady Edwards, Sharleen Branch, Anna Dowell, Christine Hawk, Alex Horner, Brittany Kelly, Francyne Melberg, Allison Mims, Sheri Pack, Jake Purdum, Addie Roanhorse, Dylan Spaulding, Cecilia Villalobos, Blake Walinder, and Crystal Walters.
A panel of alumni from the RSU Department of Fine Arts will be speaking to high school students on Friday, Nov. 4, about how they have been able to build art careers after graduation. The RSU alumni include Addie Roanhorse, Blake Walinder, Crystal Walters, Kalyn Barnoski and Kolby Anderson.
RSU Theatre will present “Original Recipe” at 7:10 on Thursday, Friday and Saturday evening in the Will Rogers Auditorium. “Original Recipe” features a series of short plays produced, directed and acted by RSU students, faculty, staff and community members. Admission to the theatre production is $12 for adults, $7 for seniors, and $3 for students, staff and faculty with RSU ID. All proceeds from “Original Recipe” will benefit student participation in the Kennedy Center American College Theater Festival regional competition
Also on campus this weekend will be the 18th Annual RSU Native American Heritage festival, scheduled from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Saturday, in the Centennial Center Ballroom. The event, which is free and open to the public, will feature a stomp dance, Cherokee storytelling, powwow drum and singing presentation, and make-and-take arts and crafts. The event is sponsored through a grant from the Oklahoma Arts Council.
The RSU Native American Student Association will be selling Indian tacos from noon to 5 p.m. on the RSU grounds. Additional dining options on campus this weekend include brunch from 10:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. and dinner from 5-7 p.m. on both Saturday and Sunday at the Chapman Dining Hall, which provides an all-you-care-to-eat menu featuring a variety of hearty and healthy options.