hub and meeting place for Norman artists and patrons, and they have committed to maintaining Mainsite as a contemporary gallery space. The transition has not been without its unique challenges, however. Associate Director Joshua Lunsford says that one of the unexpected challenges has been convincing Normanites that Mainsite is still open. Lunsford reports that some of the confusion came from the name and concept behind NAC at Mainsite’s first feature exhibition, The Inventory Show, which features artists from the former Mainsite’s inventory such as Paul Mays, Dylan Bradway, Haze Diedrich, Trent Still, Stephen Heyman and John Seward. The point of the exhibition was to reintroduce favorite pieces and artists from the gallery’s inventory, a show that counted on audience nostalgia for specific moments in Mainsite’s exhibition history. But, as Lunsford comments, “More than a few people thought we were selling off inventory and closing our doors!” Another challenge for Lunsford and Executive Director Erinn Gavaghan has been juggling NAC’s eclectic programming and managing the demanding exhibition schedule. Luckily, NAC at Mainsite now employs capable interns and relies on its supportive board to volunteer time and make informed editorial, if not curatorial, decisions. Visitors to NAC at Mainsite may recognize a few shows on the exhibition schedule that have carried over from previous years, such as the Emerging Artist show (December 9 – January 21), which, as the name suggests, features young artists who are just emerging on to the scene and seeking to develop their professional careers. Another familiar presence on the exhibition schedule is the University of Oklahoma (OU) MFA show (April 2012), in which MFA candidates from OU in their graduating year have the opportunity to show their thesis body of work to the public, while also having the chance to be critiqued by OU faculty and other colleagues in a professional gallery atmosphere. NAC will also continue to act as the principal organizing institution of the Second Friday Circuit of Art in Norman, a monthly, city-wide art walk. Artists and patrons alike can also look forward to new programming from NAC, including monthly critique sessions, organized by the Norman Studio Artists Association, which are
open to artists and non-artists. Art Critiques take place on the first Wednesday of every month at 7:00pm at the gallery. Artists are invited to bring a piece of artwork, finished or unfinished, to participate in a guided critique session. Additionally, this summer NAC debuted the Individual Artist Award, which offers a $600 honorarium and a featured slot on the exhibition schedule to six individual artists who have resided in Norman for at least one year. One of the awards is reserved for a high school student. This chosen student will also receive a featured gallery show at Mainsite, a wonderful opportunity for the chosen young artists to expand their audience and develop professionally. On view through November 19 at Mainsite are the works of Marilyn Artus and John Hadley. In addition to being an artist, Artus is also an art promoter, and co-founder of the annual, all-female art and craft extravaganza, The Girlie Show. Viewers may be familiar with her neo-pop aesthetics and playful yet sincere style of feminist commentary. In the exhibition’s featured body of work, Artus simultaneously explores the public and private roles of women throughout history. Viewers will also enjoy Hadley’s vibrant, fast-paced, and narrative drawings which are greatly inspired by his family and his experiences in the music industry. Hadley’s Family Portrait series is also collaborative, as he enlists family members to contribute to the collage-like compositions. Hadley is a former professor of art at the University of Oklahoma and has long been known as an award-winning songwriter. Also included in this exhibition is the first of the six Individual Artist Award recipients, Tara Ahmadi. Iranian transplant Ahmadi is currently finishing her MFA at the University of Oklahoma. The closing reception will take place on Friday, November 11, starting at 6:00pm, and the show will run until November 19, 2011.
Marilyn Artus, Oklahoma City, Susan Secretly Wished For an Evening Gown Made of Pink Satin, Giclee printed collage on canvas with hand embroidery and acrylic
For more information on NAC programming, Mainsite exhibitions, and Norman community arts events visit www.normanarts.org. n Samantha Still received her MA in Art History from the University of Oklahoma. She currently works as the Volunteer and Office Coordinator at OVAC.
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