DUNCAN
The Duncan Heart & Soul project is a resident-driven process that engages the entire population of Duncan to
• Identify what we love most about our community
• What future we want for it
• How to achieve it.
We encourage everyone to get involved, whether it’s through surveys, conversations, or other opportunities. We want to hear from as many people as possible to develop the heart and soul statements for the project.
The project is based on three powerful principles
• Involve everyone
• Focus on what matters most
• Play the long game
The QR code below links to a survey that can benefit everyone in Stephens County. No mater what town you live in. If you live, work or play in Duncan, we want your input. It will only take a couple of minutes and will be very helpful.
Take the survey to make sure your voice is heard.
Duncan Heart & Soul
FROM THE EDITOR
The alarm blares. You open one eye, and groan. It’s dark. You don’t want to get up, but you must. There’s no other option when you’re an adult. Coffee. The sustenance you need to function. That’s all you can think. You get up and stumble to the coffee pot. You’re not awake, but you’re somehow going through the motions. You’re pretty sure you spilled coffee grounds all over the floor in the process. You wait. While you wait, you close your eyes and listen to the drips as they brew and fall into the pot. You take a deep breath. The coffee smell starts to energize you.
last use (which was... uh...? I don’t remember), uncared for and collecting dust. An entire closet full of supplies to make something beautiful sits neglected, abandoned and unused. The burnout spread. Creative outlets like design and abstract work didn’t seem attractive anymore.
THERE IS ART ALL AROUND US
important the arts are in education during our meeting, and Marlow High School demonstrates just that, which you’ll get a chance to read about.
A few moments later, you have the perfect cup of coffee in front of you. You take a sip. A sigh of relief. It warms your chest when you swallow it. For a moment, it fights back the overwhelming sense of burnout sitting in your chest. Another sip. A self motivating talk. More sips. A refill. Now, onward to take on the day and whatever it may bring.
Your day at work comes and goes and the monotony of working to live has you functioning in autopilot. The hustle and bustle of the commute takes up another chunk of your waking time, and before you know it, you’ve eaten dinner and the sun has gone down. The day is gone. Did you do anything you enjoyed today? Did you see anything beautiful?
“No,” you think. “All I did was work.”
The “you” in this scenario is me. Burnout had crept in and the day-in and day-out tasks of wake, work, eat, clean, rinse, repeat had started to wear on me.
But the “all I did was work” response came more than once. In my office, a stack of canvases and paints sit untouched since their
A few months go by. The quarterly magazine meeting for the fall comes up. We start throwing around the idea of an Autumn of Artists. We had already featured musicians in a previous edition this year, but we hadn’t spent much time on our visual artists recently. We originally were going to do authors and artists, but we quickly realized that once again, Stephens County has an incredible amount of talent.
So, it was decided. Let’s focus on the visual arts.
During the meeting, we asked Chisholm Trail Arts Council Executive Director Darcy Reeves to join our staff for the meeting. We welcomed Reeves as an honorary staff member to The Banner and we enjoyed an almost hour-long conversation about the arts in Duncan, Stephens County and Oklahoma.
Darcy pointed us in a few directions, first by tipping us off to grant monies that will help the nonprofit and second, by discussing partnerships between CTAC and other organizations, like DRH Health, and the programs that are available because of these supports.
Of course, when we turned it over to staff, many had their ideas for artists they wanted to feature. This includes painters, like Janet Loveless and Alyssa Cox, photographers like Dr. Martha Burger, and sculptures like LaQuincey Reed.
We also spoke about how
Now, I bet you’re wondering what the burnout has to do with any of this. The truth is, I sat down and read these pieces and for once in the last several years, I did not struggle to design this book. There was no creative block. In fact, the art, the beautiful works presented by the artists we featured, their perspectives, it all made the design so seamless and easy. I was truly invigorated working on this project. In fact, I was reminded of something: that there is art in everything.
Alyssa Cox speaks about this when it comes to her craft and depicting nature as it is in its own beautiful essence. Janet Loveless sees it in rural landscapes. I couldn’t help but start to notice how beautiful these scenes are on my daily commute now after reading about her. LaQuincey Reed sees it in historical sculptures. Martha Burger sees it everywhere she travels.
I smile to myself as I get ready to share this project with you. Because after hearing from these artists, I have the renewed sense of life again, and I see the beauty – the absolute art – that is the experience of living and breathing and being.
So tonight, I’ll go to bed. Sleep off the project. Rid myself of the burnout blues. And tomorrow, I’ll wake up and start my day with the art of the perfect cup of coffee. I’ll find the beauty of rural Oklahoma in the drive to work. And when I return home, I’ll open that old, abandoned closet. I’ll tend to my art supplies and clean my brushes. I’ll get out my sweater covered in paint. I’ll get my hands dirty and make some art. And it’ll be beautiful.
CHARLENE BELEW
MEET OUR CONTRIBUTORS
EDITOR
CHARLENE BELEW
Charlene, also known in the community as Charlie, is the Managing Editor for The Duncan Banner and Duncan Magazine. She obtained her bachelor’s degree in Journalism from Cameron University, where she also held multiple positions with The Cameron Collegian, which ended with her serving as the Managing Editor in 2014-2015. Charlie has served two tenures with The Banner. Her first began in 2014 with an internship through Oklahoma Press Association and culminated in 2017 as News Editor. Her second began in 2018 when she returned as a staff writer and she resumed her editorship in 2020.
Although she has spent much of her life growing up in Lawton, Charlie has always felt a special call to the Duncan and Stephens County community. She adopted a dog from Stephens County Humane Society’s Take Out Tuesday program with The Banner in 2019 and also participates as a member of the Duncan Rotary Club. In 2021, Charlie led The Banner to the first Sequoyah Award from the Oklahoma Press Association since its last in 2012. She has taken home multiple awards for editorial writing and news writing, and most recently swept Oklahoma Press Association’s design competition for Semi- and TriWeekly publications. She had her first child, Anja, in January 2024.
PUBLISHER CRYSTAL CHILDERS
Crystal joined The Banner staff in 2013 as an advertising executive. She was promoted to Advertising Manager in 2017 before becoming General Manager in 2020 and then Publisher in August 2023.
Crystal has won numerous awards from the Oklahoma Press Association in ad design, most recently a first and third place win for large ad space design in 2022 along with second place for small ad space design.
Born and raised in Duncan, Crystal graduated from Duncan High School in 2001, joining a long line of Duncan graduates in her family. Crystal is an active member of Faith Church along with several community groups, including the Duncan Noon Lions Club.
She is a proud supporter of the Stephens County Humane Society and all Duncan Demon sports from the many years her children participated.
Crystal, along with husband Mike, live in Meridian with their three children, Alyssa, Jacob and Jordan.
Crystal enjoys spending time with family and her many dogs.
TAMARA GREGOR
Born and raised in California, Tamara joined the staff at The Duncan Banner in March 2020.
As an award winning journalist, Tamara has placed for her feature stories and photography, as well as for her news and column writing over the past few years.
Tamara previously gathered her experience by interning at the South Gibson Star Times in Fort Branch, Indiana, as well as working as the editor for her college newspaper, The Collegian in Oakland City, Indiana. Her experiences continued while writing and publishing a magazine, Evoke, with a group of friends in Turlock, California. With family local to Stephens County as well in the surrounding areas of Oklahoma, Tamara moved to Duncan from Stanislaus County, jumping right into community events as a reporter.
She loves to connect and engage with the community members to tell their heartfelt stories each day.
Duncan Magazine’s goal is to create a publication local to Stephens County that’s fun to read and view and created entirely by the hands of people you know. Here are the creators who use their time and talent to tell your stories.
JASON HODGES
A Comanche resident since the age of 10, Jason graduated from Comanche High School in 1991. His wife, Jennifer, followed a year behind, and the family has strong roots in the area. They have raised three daughters here, each of whom graduated from Comanche. They also have grandchildren attending school there. Jason began his career with The Banner in 2016 as a freelance photographer. Later, he accepted a full-time position in the advertising department, but he still enjoys taking photos, both for The Banner and his personal business, Hodges Photography. Jason loves his connection to the community he has now working at The Banner. He currently serves as the Comanche Chamber of Commmerce’s Vice President and can be contacted for photography work on Facebook at Hodges Photography.
TONI HOPPER
Toni’s history with The Banner began in February 2000 as an education editor and continued in various roles, including news editor in 2013. During this time, she was assigned to serve as managing editor from 200305, at The Banner’s then sister publication, The Waurika News-Democrat. She left The Banner as news editor in 2013. Toni began her news career in the mid-1990s in La Junta, Colorado. She was photo chief for a four-state wide agriculture paper, The Ag Journal (now closed).
In 1997, she and her family moved to Marlow. Harbour Whitaker, then owner of The Marlow Review offered her a job as reporter, which she did for a couple of years.
In September 2022, she returned to news when offered the managing editor/ general manager position at The Review until she retired in May of this year. Toni joined The Banner as a contract writer in July. Her work as a writer and photographer has been published in multiple award-winning publications, including The Dallas Morning News (AP pickup stories from The Banner), The Native American Times, Cowboys & Indians, and Oklahoma Today (while working at The Heritage Center). She also published a book, Riding The Chisholm Trail ‘Once in a Lifetime’ in 2009.
Awards include her news work (everything from education to sports), photography, and tourism.
NATURE’S CANVAS
Oil artist Janet Loveless draws inspiration from rural landscape
STORY AND PHOTOS BY TONI HOPPER
Apair of colorful small wood ducks with brilliant green plumage look like they might waddle right off the canvas that sits on an easel in the studio of Janet Loveless. It’s her current oil painting as she prepares for the upcoming annual Chisholm Trail Arts Council (CTAC) Holiday Art Show.
You will never find people in any of Janet’s paintings. You will find beautiful landscapes and animals, everything from foxes to bobcats. Nature’s beauty was instilled in her at a young age. She recalls walking down the road to her grandparents’ farm almost daily. Every memory of her childhood is rooted in Maryland.
It’s where she would study the bark and leaves on trees. It’s where she learned that every creature on the farm had a purposewhether it was cows for the milk, chickens for eggs, or why pigs are slaughtered for pork.
“My grandfather was a small dairy farmer with 11 cows, in the early 1900s,” she says. “We’d go walking through the woods and fields, especially Sunday when we would go there for dinner after church. It was just … like I knew the bark on the tree, the leaves on trees, that inspiration being farm-raised, and having appreciation for animals and what they were for.”
In one corner of her studio sits an antique secretary. Above it on the wall is an-
“I think art is the best way to bring you to the joy of the day.”
other antique, a wooden triptych featuring fox hunting scenes. “I love history and antiques.” More references to her childhood.
“My dad was a fox hunter. He even hunted with the du Ponts (DuPont company). Their place was just across the border on Delaware. Fox hunts were for sport and agility. They wanted to know how good of hunters they were. He had 30 dogs, the du Ponts had 100 or more. They never caught the foxes, but my dad could tell which dog was baying by their
bark.” Of the 30 or so paintings displayed on the walls of her studio is a fox. It’s another piece that might make it to the holiday show.
She just finished a buffalo scene that may also make it to the show. As she looks around at her own work, one particular painting catches her eye. A jutting sharp rock near a waterfall bugs her. By the end of the interview, she’s ready to take it down and ‘fix it.’
“I critique myself pretty mean. I have some old books that are so true to form. Color is a major fac-
tor and most people don’t cover it, just general in early lessons so it takes you years of going forward and going backward at the same time to understand color.”
Janet has been painting and showing her work for 40 plus years. She’s traveled around the world, with trips to Italy, France, Belgium (with Gay Faulkenberry, also of Duncan), and Alaska. “We’ve traveled all but four of the states. Traveling is a great inspiration.”
It wasn’t until she had an empty
nest that she started getting serious about her artistic talents.
One of the reasons she didn’t pursue more shows during those early years was because she didn’t want to give up time with her family. “I probably could have done more with my art if I was willing to travel, but you have to make sacrifices. I wanted my family. When we lost our son, he was 16, and if I was traveling, I couldn’t have lived with myself. I would have given up all those years, or part of them. There’s nothing like family.” She has no regrets.
“I critique myself pretty mean. I have some old books that are so true to form.”
Janet and Leroy’s son died in a car crash when he was 16, and then their daughter went to college. Janet started using her son’s room for a place to paint. While she doesn’t say, the art probably helped her get through the loss of their son.
“I became more serious about art and started putting my work in shows,” Janet says, naming off a list of cities - Albuquerque, Kansas City, Bella Vista, Arkansas, Edmond and Duncan among those. Edmond was her best and favorite show, having been an art vendor there for more than 20 years. “I had good sales there.” She gave it up last year since an old foot
injury now makes it difficult to stand for any length of time. “The CTAC holiday show is really the only show I’m doing now, where I can take it and leave it.”
Connecting with other artists is as important to the creative process as learning proper techniques. Every other week, Janet is either hosting or traveling to other area studios to paint. In this particular week, she hosted local artists Nita Kelly and Mark Slagle. Sometimes they travel to neighboring counties to paint with artists who can’t travel. One of their group members in Anadarko is 89-years-old.
“The artists of Stephens County are very connected and have close friendships.” A reception card for a 2020 show, “Painted Ladies
-Watercolors of Friendship” is attached to the top of her easel. The photo features Barbara Nelson, Lou Baggett, Glenna Pace and the late Jean Rich. Shows like that, where works can be sold, hold more value than earning awards, Janet believes. “If a judge walks in, in cowboy boots, he probably is not going to like my flowers or portraits. It’s an individual thing. My reward is when someone likes my work enough to invest in it.”
Investing in other artists is important to her. A few favorites displayed in her studio include photographs of bears from Jim Pryor, and paintings of old structures from Chris Morrell, among others.
Mention of the watercolor show
prompts Janet to pull a framed watercolor of fishing boats out of a corner of the room. She appreciates trying different techniques, but prefers oils. “Oil is so forgiv-
ing. I do not like acrylic, pastels are messy.” Recently she’s been using her palette knife again for painting. “I really like it, have not done much of it. It’s fun because
you’re not sure what’s going to come out.” A tabletop painting of orange flowers in a pot is one of those palette knife pieces she’s proud of. She shows off her orig-
A STACK OF JANET LOVELESS’ WORK SITS IN HER STUDIO AT HER HOME.
inal William Alexander knife (for those who don’t know, Bob Ross studied under the “wet-on-wet” master). Alexander was the first live painter on PBS.
Favorite subjects for Janet to paint are mountains and water, with Alaska being a desired destination for plein air painting. “I love Alaska, but Maryland in the fall along
the Pennsylvania line is a scenic route, just like you see in calendars. There are so many varieties of maple trees and other varieties, from the sassafras tree to hickory trees, the green nuts and hard black walnut trees. It all glows on a good fall.” Talking of the northeast in the fall season spurs a memory. “I haven’t been home since mother passed in 2017.” Maryland will always be home even though she is quite content with living in rural Oklahoma.
Janet and Leroy purchased a 60-acre property with three ponds, east of Marlow about 10 years ago. The previous owner had built and staged about 150 wood duck houses around the perimeter of the nearby area of the property. For this accomplished lifelong artist, it is the perfect setting. Her studio, a former garage, converted and raised to be level with the house, is filled with light from the windows on three walls facing south, east and west. It’s peaceful and allows her to paint any time of the day. Artists never stop learning or honing their craft.
“I think art is the best way to bring you to the joy of the day. It’s work, even if it’s frustrating. It’s one of 20 that you really feel good about. It’s a challenge you don’t want to give up. The creativity in you. People who bake have a creative way. People who sew have creative ways, gardening … all of that is a bit of design and something to do with the designer.”
Janet’s advice and reflections include: “I wish I had learned color better. It is dynamically important. Practice! ‘Brush mileage,’ as Gay Faulkenberry always says. Don’t trace, practice drawing until you feel like you have it. Charcoal is good. Look at shadows, light. I go down to the pond and I see that water shimmering at times. That’s what I want in my paintings.” DM
Looking for the next image
From film to digital, local photographer captures hundreds of thousands of photo scenes
STORY BY TONI HOPPER, PHOTOS BY TONI HOPPER AND DR. MARTHA BURGER
Martha Burger spent years dedicating her life to public education, as a teacher and then administrator. Behind the scenes, she has stayed extremely active in civic philanthropy serving on multiple boards and mentoring young women. Recently she received the Lifetime Achievement Award from Duncan Chamber of Commerce. An honor well-earned. Noting everything she’s accomplished would produce a small book.
“I am humbled by all of them and rarely feel deserving of the awards or the amazing good fortune I’ve had,” she says.
Martha is also a musician and photographer-artist. She has a vision for taking an everyday scene and pushing it to the next level with a few changes in the digital darkroom. Not every photo gets this treatment, but it’s mostly because she loves the creative challenge. A quote by DeWitt Jones, a National Geographic photographer, has always stayed with her.
“There’s always more than one right answer. Don’t forget to look around, behind you, there’s other things you may be missing. The first shot might be good, but the next photo is better,” she says. “It sticks with me all the time.”
Photographing a tree in Geor-
DR. MARTHA BURGER STANDS WITH PHOTOS SHE HAS CAPTURED. MARTHA’S BEEN TRAVELING QUITE A BIT THIS YEAR WITH TRIPS TO THE SOUTH OF FRANCE IN APRIL, AND TO BLACK POINT WILDLIFE REFUGE ON THE CAPE CANAVERAL COAST IN FEBRUARY. SHE TOOK THOUSANDS OF PHOTOS ON THESE TRIPS.
gia many years ago was her first attempt to make her work public. She entered the image into a show and won. It was published
in a book and sold. Seeing works of other area photographers also inspired her. Multiple shows, photo sales and exhibits continue
to push her to keep seeking and creating. Just this year, four photographs from her day trips to the Wichita Mountains Wildlife Refuge were selected for the Friends of the Wichitas 2025 calendar.
“There is always something to see and photograph there.” Proceeds from the sales will benefit the Refuge. Two other photos have been selected for an “Inspiring Hope” art show that will be held in the Paseo Gallery in October. It is sponsored by Friends of the OU Breast Center, a fundraiser.
Martha’s been traveling quite a bit this year with trips to the South of France in April, and to Black Point Wildlife Refuge on the Cape Canaveral Coast in February. She loved the weather and enjoyed a boat ride to an estuary and a wildlife refuge near NASA. With just those two trips, she added a few thousand images to her collection. Everything from cobblestone streets and 1800s homes in France, to birds, alligators and dolphins seen in Florida. Watching and trying to photograph the wildlife was a unique experience. “Wild,” she says.
“Some of the photos I took, including two things I’ve never seen before. One is a large area filled with egrets of all shapes and sizes. They were in the water and in the trees as far as you could see! The other was a water ballet of American coots. The coots (black ducks with white bills) were in one large floating group, body to body. Then they split into two groups; then played ‘Red Rover Red Rover,’ going back and forth. Then they formed other shapes and then one long string, before finally getting back into one group again.
“My photography has transformed into what I call ‘Photo Art.’ I begin with one of my photos and, using the digital darkroom, textures and creative processes, I
produce a more artistic version of my original photo. I find this immensely satisfying and fun, and I’ve found a creative streak I never knew I had. I look forward to seeing where this journey takes me in the future.”
She doesn’t pass any opportunity in which she can show her work. Exhibits range from The Oklahoma State Capitol, to the Chisholm Trail Arts Council Gallery in Duncan, Viridian Coffee and The Vault Art Space in Pauls Valley.
“I submit photos and photo art to the CTAC gallery whenever there is an opportunity. Each January, I submit work to the Duncan Area Arts Hall of Fame art show and I often donate pieces to non-profit organizations in their fundraising efforts.” She produces a small desktop photo calendar featuring flowers that is popular. Some of the proceeds benefit a SAGE-STEAM camp for girls in Weatherford, Oklahoma. “I am fortunate to be able to donate framed photos and prints to be sold in fundraisers for Duncan nonprofit organizations such as Duncan Rotary, Gabriel’s House, The DRH Health Foundation and The Duncan Chamber of Commerce.”
She participated in a wildflower workshop in Texas and online courses in photoshop artistry.
“I started taking photos in the 1970s using a Konica SLR film
camera and mostly teaching myself the basics of the camera while learning the basics of photography from Gene Werner at Red River Vo-Tech. I quickly went to a digital camera when it became available and shot even more prolifically, taking my camera everywhere
and photographing everything (except people). I have never had a good feeling for portrait or group photography so I avoid it.”
She’s candid about her photography background.
“I do what I do, but there’s a ton of stuff that I don’t know how
to do, even in just basic photography. I’ve been taking pictures for so long I started out in film.”
It was quite by accident that Martha started pursuing photography as an art avenue. She says someone told her to look into a Duncan Art Guild show. “I took some pictures down there and right off the bat, I realized I didn’t have them hung correctly. I learned about hanging, that kind of stuff. It’s humbling because you may not get anything. Nobody may notice you at all.”
“Everyone has their own style. I appreciate that.”
-Dr. Martha Burger
artists. An image of Martha’s sat on that website for years, then in 2015, a woman from the Oklahoma Arts Council stumbled across it.
She credits Janice Kirksey for mentoring her, pushing her to look into the Oklahoma Visual Arts Coalition which helps promote
“They must have been a desperate person,” she says with a laugh. Apparently someone had backed out of the rotating exhibit calendar at the Oklahoma State Capitol and OAC wondered if Martha would be
interested.
“They wanted large sizes. It was April, and the show was in July. They wanted 24 of them and I had zero prints. I got busy and I got it done. That was the turning point for me.
There was a small reception, just my work. Then later, I had a show here, Darcy Reeves asked me.”
Martha doesn’t mind telling she has no formal art training. “Some people will say, I like it and I’m like, ‘really?’”
Shows and awards are a bit of validation, but not the driving force for participating. She loves being active in the community. Even though she’s constantly on the go,
she still makes time to provide a talk to high school art classes, sometimes with fellow photographer Debbie Duggar, or to the Waurika Sorosis Club and other sorority organizations. She is a member of the Wichita Wildlight Photographic Society, located in Lawton.
Martha aims to have another show, possibly in cooperation with another artist or photographer in Lawton. “I’m not sure where to go next, what that next step to take would be.” She’s fairly certain it doesn’t involve certifications. “Everyone has their own style. I appreciate that.” Martha
“My purpose has always been to make Duncan the best place it can be.”
-Dr.
Martha Burger
is more than satisfied to travel and then spend hours creating her photo art images. She delights in the challenge that offers.
“Involvement in my community as well as in my profession has been a big part of my life. Duncan is my home and I want it to be as vibrant a community as possible,” she shares in her biography. Art and music are at the forefront of her life these days.
Years ago Martha was recruited by a friend, Ed Apple, who was also former State Representative and Corporation Commissioner, to organize an event to recognize well-known musicians from Duncan. That expanded into a plan to celebrate all types of artists with Duncan connections, she says. Out of that became the first Duncan Area Arts Hall of Fame, which is
now an annual event.
“As a retiree I have become involved in the arts community, showing my photo art in local and statewide shows. I serve on the Gallery Committee of the Chisholm Trail Arts Council in Duncan. I have always championed the arts. I grew up in a family with music and began piano at an early age. I joined the band in fifth grade and still play bass clarinet to this day. I accepted a band scholarship to the University of Oklahoma and played in the Pride of Oklahoma for two years. Each year I return to play and march with the OU Band Alumni at the Homecoming football game. This past year I was given a certificate for playing in the Alumni Band for over 50 years – and I was certainly one of the most ‘senior’ marchers.”
The Chisholm Trail Municipal Band was begun as a bicentennial project in 1976 by local citizens. “I played in that first band and have played bass clarinet in the band every year since.” She also plays bells and chimes with the community choir at her church.
“Duncan has a busy arts scene and I have attended hundreds of arts events (plays, musical performances, gallery shows, and concerts) to support and encourage participation in the arts.”
My early mentors also taught me that when you are involved in an organization, you are expected to step into a leadership role. I took this to heart. Leadership is more than being an officer in an organization. It means taking the reins when something needs to be done,” she says.
“Duncan has blessed me in many ways. My friends and colleagues are here and my hobbies and interests have formed here. I have tried to return the favor by doing my best for Duncan, in my career and in my involvement in a variety of community organizations, activities, and events. My purpose has always been to make Duncan the best place it can be.” DM
Communicating a message Cox uses work to highlight nature’s natural beauty
STORY BY TAMARA GREGOR, PHOTOS SUBMITTED
“There are so many reasons for making art, but my favorite thing about art is its many abilities to tell a story and communicate a message,” Alyssa Beth Cox said after completing her first full year of graduate school at Texas Woman’s University.
With this achievement, Cox said she’s taking a step back from school to focus on her career and staying active in regional and local art exhibits.
“I’m embracing my freedom from a typical school-year schedule to develop my professional portfolio even further,” she said.
That means Cox moved from her spring and summer painting schedule to take full advantage of the upcoming harvest season.
“I’m looking forward to having the time to explore some autumn scenery this year since I’m finished with classes,” she said “I really enjoy going out to paint the sights of local areas such as farms, lakes, gardens and the Wichita Wildlife Refuge a little further down the road.”
Cox said she has a few places lined up to go paint and scenes will include beautiful farmland and backyard gardens.
“I really want to try and convey the cool and crisp atmosphere that comes with autumn as well as the vibrant colors that appear in nature,” she said. “Of the locations I decide to go paint, I’ll be sure to focus on nature as well as architecture.”’
Cox enjoys capturing the charm of the many historical buildings
and locations in Southwest Oklahoma, especially in Duncan and Marlow, where she grew up and first fell in love with creating art at a young age.
“I enjoyed drawing when I was little, although I think most people do too,” she said. “I was homeschooled until middle school so I remember doing some drawings for certain things early on to count as ‘school work’ on special occasions.”
She said when she returned to art classes in middle school, she had a more specific interest in cartoon stylization and illustration and she soon discovered the enjoyment and passion.
“I further refined my technical ability and concepts during college so now I can draw photo-realistically when I want to,” she said.
Cox said a big sign of art becoming a passion was that it didn’t just stop after she left the classroom. She boasts nearly 11 years
of consistently creating art after solidifying her interest while on a family trip to Florida when she was 13.
“I took a new sketchbook and a box of colored pencils and drew various cartoons, comics and illustrations during the whole car drive,” she said. “I’ve been experimenting, practicing and creating new art ever since then.”
She said her favorite part about working with the arts is the variety of fields offered, as well as the ability to tell a story.
“You can illustrate images to go with actual text in story books or you can make very powerful visual narratives where no words are needed to understand the purpose of the artwork,” she said.
Chisholm Trail Art Council’s mission is to promote and inspire the arts throughout Southwest Oklahoma, and Cox said she’s seen the evidence in her life and she would claim CTAC’s mission reaches beyond the southwest.
Cox graduated from Marlow High School in 2018 and went on to attend the University of Oklahoma (OU) before transferring to Cameron University (CU).
She said CTAC helped her through the different stages of her art career — from high school and college, to job experience.
Cox said when she returned to the Duncan area after transferring from OU to attend Cameron, CTAC Executive Director Darcy Reeves hired her as a part-time assistant in the gallery office.
“This was a huge help in supporting me financially and was
ALYSSA BETH COX
also fantastic work experience in my field of focus,” Cox said. “I learned so much about gallery work, nonprofits, networking and so many other responsibilities that came with the job.”
She loved being in the gallery nearly everyday and the job helped her to stay motivated with her personal and school art.
“It was also very helpful in keeping me active in the local art community as I would participate in every exhibit that I could that CTAC hosted,” she said. “This helped tremendously with my resumé for applying to graduate school and even went on to help me score a ‘gallery support’ job at Texas Woman’s University because of my work experience and knowledge about how to manage, hang, up-keep a gallery.”
While pursuing higher education, Cox returned to help others find their passion for art and worked behind the scenes at CTAC. This has helped her develop her own understanding about what it takes to promote the arts.
“I appreciate every artist that comes into the gallery no matter what type of art they’re bringing in, because there is undoubtedly a lot of effort and heart put into the work that they’re making — and that’s the same for beginners and pros alike,” she said. “Art making has a public circle of conversation, but there is an intimacy between the artist and each of their pieces that I found needs to be respected and taken seriously, especially when these artists are taking a chance and putting into the public eye of a gallery.”
Cox enjoys to converse with other artists as they are dropping off and picking up their pieces and get to know the artist behind the art.
“I love being able to spot artwork in businesses around the area and instantly know who the artist is
before I even locate and read the signature,” she said. “The connections made within the walls of the CTAC Gallery is what has helped me recognize the importance of the art community that we have here.
“I find myself pushing others to get involved in the art community now too, especially other younger students and beginner types that need that support group and
community to inspire and motivate them,” she said.
Cox has participated in many shows and galleries over the years. This year, Cox submitted multiple plein air pieces for the CTAC Membership Drive show. She said she set up at outdoor locations and painted a landscape in a two-hour time period.
Along with her plein air pieces, Cox submitted a mixed media piece for CTAC’s playbill cover contest, which allowed her to take first place.
“It’s going to be on the cover of this year’s 2024-25 playbook cover,” Cox said.
With her piece, Cox said she wanted to show what CTAC is about, as well as feature Southwest Oklahoma and performance days, along with her own style. Cox said she used birds in the background, coffee-stained paper and new elements, including sheet
music, for the playbill cover.
The piece was made specifically for the contest. Her usual work focuses on the beauty of nature and its naturalness. She emphasizes her own artistic decision of exaggerating areas where she finds more beauty and works to bring out the colors in her pieces.
She works with symbolism and her pieces aim to depict humanity,
Christianity and human virtue.
“I see God’s hand in the natural world, and that’s why I love to really take my time in carefully observing all of the intricacies found in nature,” she said. “I truly don’t draw or paint beautiful things for the sake of attempting to impress anyone, but rather I draw and paint to develop a deeper appreciation for the intelligently designed
aspects of our world.”
For 2025, Cox has two exhibits for which she’s preparing submissions: one for a new gallery opening, Beyond Bowie Gallery, in Bowie, Texas, and one for the Leslie Powell Gallery in Lawton.
She said she plans to create 15-25 pieces for both exhibits.
“The artwork for these shows will continue my focus on and appreciation for subjects of nature such as vast landscapes, gardens, and birds,” she said.
In addition to her creations, Cox teaches private lessons for adults and kids on occasion. She said teaching lessons are always fun experiences.
“Amidst all of this I also periodically teach workshops for
printmaking,” she said. “I was able to do a really fun leaf design printmaking class in May for a small group at the Cancer Center in Duncan via a partnership with both them and CTAC where they put on a several week session of inviting art teachers to come in and do some fun projects.”
Additionally, Cox has worked as an instructor during CTAC’s Art Explosion youth camp. She said she would love to teach other workshops, such as pastels, book-making, illustration and various other techniques.
Cox’s art has been shown in numerous galleries in Oklahoma, Missouri and Texas.
With a number of goals for the future, Cox said she looks to keep
strong ties with CTAC. She would love to have the opportunity to offer private lessons, workshops and classes while working on new personal art to feature in exhibits.
Once established in her career, she said she would like to begin her plans to open a family-owned art gallery where she can offer other artists opportunities to showcase their work — from beginning artists to master artists, whether they are younger or older, professional or hobbyist, traditional or innovative — “all located within a relaxing and cozy environment of a coffee shop/ cafe where you catch the traffic of other customers that may get to be introduced to some great art,” she said. DM
An Exquisite Jewelry Selection
Storytelling through Sculptures
An unusual path brings LaQuincey Reed down the Chisholm Trail
STORY BY TONI HOPPER, PHOTOS BY TONI HOPPER AND SUBMITTED
LaQuincey Reed is a storyteller of people in history, as seen through the sculptures he creates that can be found throughout the country in places like Wyoming, Kentucky, and South Carolina. Oh, and let’s not forget – Duncan, Oklahoma.
A commissioned piece, “Get Up and Go” is one of the newest acquisitions in the permanent western art collection housed in the
Garis Gallery of the American West at the Chisholm Trail Heritage Center. Using his uncles as models for the large table-top sculpture, Reed crafted a beautiful detailed bronze depicting three Black Cowboys and two horses in action.
Considered an emerging star in the bronze sculpture world, Reed’s efforts are championed by Darcy Reeves, executive director of the Chisholm Trail Arts Council,
CTHC’s Executive Director Leah Mulkey and founding board member Barbara Braught.
Braught, who is president of the McCasland Foundation, said during the unveiling of Reed’s sculpture on National Day of Cowboy, that the Foundation helped with the bronzing.
“When Leah and the Heritage Center approached the Foundation about the ‘Get up and Go’ commis-
sion, it was absolutely a yes, immediately. LaQuincey Reed needs to be represented in the Garis Gallery, no doubt. To have such an incredible Oklahoma artist, a rising star, so young and already so accomplished, he definitely needed to be represented here,” Braught said.
Reed, who lives in Oklahoma City, has been creating notable commissioned pieces since 2009, and participating in shows longer.
Teaching art for seven years (2014-2021) to middle and high school students in Jones, Oklahoma, was steady work, but not as fulfilling as he desired.
“After COVID, I taught one more year. The ‘Soul,’ Pixar movie, is sad and will make you cry. It made me reflect on my life. I thought, this is my life, I’m not doing everything I want to.”
Interesting, since he has created substantial works that can be seen in museums, university campuses, the State Capitol, downtown Oklahoma City, the historic Skirvin Hotel and more. Just this year, he’s completed five pieces and is working on three life-size projects.
Tapping into a sense of history has become his trademark and possibly without realizing it, he is creating a reputable legacy of work. Sculpting since the age of 20, now at age 41, he explores the history behind the figures he sculpts – from activists like Clara Luper and Alberta Jones, to people of valor.
He was one of 32 artists accepted into the 2024 Buffalo Bill Art Show and Sale in Cody, Wyoming. Reed conducted a workshop for attendees, creating small sculpture projects. His work isn’t limited to small tabletop pieces.
“I’m working on a monument for Louisville, Kentucky of Alberta Jones. She was a civil rights activist and prosecutor. Muhammad Ali was one of her clients. She was murdered and her death has never been solved,” he says.
The monument is 8-feet-tall. Another piece, at half-life size, is a Medal of Honor sculpture that is destined for Cheyenne, Wyoming.
So how did his path to Duncan happen?
“I came to the Chisholm Trail Arts Council to drop off artwork for a group exhibition there. I struck up a conversation with Darcy and asked her about opportunities that I should pursue. She was so helpful and offered advice,” he says.
Since that time just around two years ago, Reed has become active through the Arts Council, and has fulfilled some Artist-in-Residence work. He spoke to the Marlow High School art students in the fall of 2022, and did a relief demonstration in clay sculpting. Reed also submits his work for CTAC shows. Darcy also connected him to the Heritage Center.
As for any artist, Reed wants to have fun, too. A few of his current commissions he can’t yet talk about, will delight all ages.
Reed says about “Get Up and Go,” that as a child, his three uncles would encourage his artistic talents on the sunporch of his grandmother’s home. Those uncles, Lardale Loud, Landon Loud, and Louquain Loud were the models for the faces of the sculpture. “I’m so grateful for the opportunity to have my work in the museum. This project was a lot of fun to work on. I had a chance to experiment with multiple figures in motion in a single composition. I hope it shows creativity and technical ability.” During his residency at the Skirvin Hotel in Oklahoma City, he worked on the sculpture.
“My interest is because I didn’t know anything about [the west] growing up. Read-
ing different stories, those are fun for me,” Reed says. As for his own children recognizing the significance of the historic work he is doing. “My kids just think it’s my job like any parent. They sometimes help at the studio and like being the experts of my work when I have visitors. Otherwise, they are pretty casual about it all.”
While Reed’s childhood didn’t include ranches, rodeos or civil rights demonstrations, he has followed the right trail in his art education. A graduate from the University of Oklahoma, he earned a BFA in studio art and is a member of the National Sculpture Society. As he continues his passion for sharing history throughout the country, his work is becoming more sought after and seen throughout the state, including in the State Capitol.
Enthusiastically, at the NDOC unveiling, Braught told Reed, “You go right in here with Allan Houser, how about that?” Reed was humbled and honored of having his work in the same collection as Houser and Frederic Remington, both who are historic in their contributions to the legacy of the Cowboy and Native American and Old West.
“You absolutely belong there right with them. We’re just thrilled, delighted that we could help make that happen. For Duncan, Stephens County, for Oklahoma, all the visitors that come in, this is definitely the addition this gallery needs,” she said.
While Reed is telling the history of notable figures throughout the country with his work, it’s obvious he’s going to be remembered for his work for decades to come.
A complete list of his commissions and locations of work can be found on his website: laquincey.com. DM
Big brush strokes
provide a visual story of Marlow’s history
MHS art students create a connection with their community
STORY AND PHOTOS BY TONI HOPPER
Artists are always looking for ways to express their creative talents. Many artists desire to share their art on a grand, public scale. Travel through any large metropolitan city and mural art has become a part of the landscape. In recent years, mural art has become more prevalent throughout smaller communities, like Duncan, Waurika and Marlow.
There are brochures produced to promote it as tourism attractions. It’s also an avenue for communities to tell the story and history of their towns.
In Duncan and Waurika, many of the murals have been created by Oklahoma artist Dr. Bob Palmer and his team. Palmer is known for his saturated colors and bold designs.
Marlow has taken a different approach, thanks to high school art instructor Arlyn Brantley, his students and a supportive community. Brantley was an art teacher at Comanche for nine years. In 2013, he started teaching in Marlow, after longtime artist and teacher Dan Hazel retired.
“I was pleasantly surprised that they had a very well-stocked and planned pottery program. That’s not something many schools do have, and of course, adding in what I know and enjoy teaching about drawing and painting, well, I have 20 years now of teaching art to high school students,” Brantley says.
When he arrived in Marlow, the owner of the building leased by Dollar General, at the corner of Main Street and Broadway, asked him if he’d be interested in doing a mural. Brantley said it was a bit daunting and hesitated to make that a first project for his students. Since he loses some of those students each year as they graduate, the collective skill level is ever-changing.
In 2016, Denise Graham, owner of the building on the east side of Main and Broadway, commissioned Brantley and the students for a somewhat more manageable mural project. “We worked together on a proposal that included symbolic locations in Marlow or scenes in Marlow,” he says. “The popularity of the fireworks, the park, the Hideout, shopping and antique stores. Something highlighting the neat aspects of Marlow. That first one gave us confidence and people in the community loved what we did.”
“This amazing mural by our MHS art students has graced our downtown scene for seven years now! Seems like it’s been part of our town forever. It fits so perfectly with our wonderful wellloved buildings, our history and traditions, our Outlaw sports and mascot. Thank you again for adding to Marlow’s unique past and present in such a great way,” Lou Ann Callaway, Marlow resident, shared on Facebook in the fall of 2023. The mural is the one on Graham’s building.
To date, five large building murals have been commissioned throughout the community. This community enhancement project really took off in the spring of 2023. At that time, David Ladwig, owner of Kwik Lube at the south end of Marlow, wanted an old vintage truck painted. Brantley says it is his personal favorite. “It covers the entire wall of a building and just visually, is the stron-
Community Connections supporting the MHS Art Program
Several years ago, Marlow High School Principal Bryan Brantley, suggested to his brother, Arlyn, the idea of an art auction to help generate funds for the art department program.
“The Marlow community is well known for its outstanding support of the school system so we decided to try our first event in the spring of 2021,” Arlyn said. “We were blessed by the generosity of many local patrons and business owners who donated items to the auction list. In total, our first auction raised over $6,000. We were astounded by the success.”
Each year the auction has proven successful and well attended. Brantley says in
2022, the support increased and profit doubled to about $14,000. “It was incredible. The third year earned about $17,000 and was our highest profit to date.” In 2024, the art auction generated just over $14,000. “These totals include profit from sold items at auction as well as donations from businesses and individuals.”
Not all schools are so fortunate to have such a strong art department or dedicated community involvement. Many artists live in Marlow and Stephens County, which could be another reason for this idea being so successful.
“We have also been blessed by artists in the community donating their own personal artwork to the auction for
STORY AND PHOTOS BY TONI HOPPER
gest eye-catching mural.” Every motorist traveling into Marlow on US-81 sees the patriotic display. It’s hard to miss.
Other murals can be found on the buildings of Sunkissed Studios, owned by Donelle Gregston, and Western Bloom, owned by Madison Baker, both on the north end of town. They are also supporters of the art programs and arts within the community. Gregston’s mural features the love of outdoors, cactus, lakes and mountains – and a paddleboard.
Marlow does like to do things that make a big impact. It might be traced back to the early history of the community. It continues in the athletics department and other areas.
The biggest mural is on that 30-foot or larger wall of the Dollar General. Many elements were discussed before the project could even begin. Marlow Mayor
Jeff Prater, City Administrator Jason McPherson, Brantley, and the building owner, Jason Balaban, who lives in California, had multiple discussions about the direction of the mural. Brantley proposed a beautification project to the Marlow City Council. Prater was interested in the idea and helped present the proposal for the 2023 calendar year. It included mural work to be painted by sign painters Darry and Terry Shaw of Lawton.
It was finally decided that the Marlow Brothers should be the main focal point. Because of the size and time for that initial element to be created, a pair of artists from Lawton were hired. They began work on it during the late spring, early summer of 2023. MHS art students have been adding additional elements, including the names of the Marlow Brothers, so people will know that it’s not
just a mural, but the story of the community.
Discussing the project with the building owner took an interesting turn. “The building owner was a little concerned about the idea of portraying Outlaws as a rebellious area of this part of the country.”
It was an opportunity to educate the out-of-towner that the Outlaws are not renegades. Brantley asked him if he had watched “The Sons of Katie Elder,” which is based on the history of the Marlow brothers. The man had never seen the John Wayne movie, but after watching it, he came back to Brantley and agreed it would be fine to show the story of the Outlaw brothers “as we know it.”
“Our school mascot is an Outlaw, and the Marlow brothers were wrongfully accused. We have to be careful with the mural to portray them as upstanding citizens and not as rebellious rene-
gades who fought against rule and authority,” Brantley says.
In the spring of 2024, Brantley tasked his students with creating more depth and contrast in the mural. “We’re in the Great Plains and it needs grasses. The kids did a great job of adding that effect at the base.
“If individuals are looking at the mural, they might be careful to notice some of the symbolism.”
Additional elements including the original school mascot – a grey wolf, the cattle drive that represents the Chisholm Trail, and a creek (Wildhorse Creek courses through the town) have all been added under Brantley’s direction. It includes Oklahoma’s state symbols, the Rose rock, the American bison and the scissortail flycatcher.
Also during the 2023-24 school year, FFA ag mechanic students including Hunter Miller, Drew Wollenberg and others worked tirelessly to create metal sculpture work. Again, this connected students with members of the community. A committee was formed at First National Bank, which presented their ideas to the young men. By the end of the school year, three sculptures were concreted in place in the old brick flower planters that line the east side of the bank. One of those is a dreamcatcher featuring the letter “M,” another a dandelion, and a third piece that is a vase of flowers on a plant stand. DM
sale,” Brantley says. “If local art programs have not considered making items to sell to their community, I think they are missing out on a great opportunity.”
Brantley, a talented artist in his own right, aside from teaching, is always looking for ways to stretch the budget and often sources art and other unique items that go on the auction block.
“Art educators are often limited with a small annual budget and are forced to be very frugal. The art auction has been a real ‘game changer’ for us. Instead of trying to decide which projects and materials we can afford, we can just dream and splurge and go for it. For example, I purchased a vinyl cutting machine so my Art 3 students could learn how to make vinyl art and design T-shirts. It would be wonderful if our state legislature could provide more funding for the arts.”
Having the art auction takes some of the pressure off Brantley asking parents for help in funding supplies.
“Parents usually have to buy instruments for their children in band. Similarly, I have expenses for my students to be involved in art. With the art auction … I am able to provide all supplies at no cost to the students.”
That community connection extends beyond the art auction and donations. Chisholm Trail Arts Council (CTAC) and Executive Director Darcy Reeves have connected
Oklahoma artists with students through a local Artist-in-Residence program.
“Darcy has helped me coordinate with these artists. She and I are also working to create a roundtable forum for area art teachers to meet and share ideas as a form of professional development to increase communication and networking for art teachers in our part of the state.” Some of those artists who have visited, talked with or done demonstrations for the students are LaQuincey Reed, who taught relief sculpting with clay, Kelly Pennington, a successful impressionist oil painter, and Lou Baggett, a ceramicist. Marlow artist Janet Loveless has discussed oil painting, and Jana Oakman has shared paper jewelry making. Former art store owner Josh Conway and retired MHS teacher Dan Hazel have done pottery demonstrations. Brantley has also taken students on local field trips to art studios.
“I’m just a country boy who grew up in Rush Springs. I’m used to smaller communities and small school systems. It’s really neat when you can feel like you are a part of a small group of people you know and that you can build relationships,” Brantley says. “Education is thought to be 100% free, but honestly, I don’t know what we would do without the generosity of our community. Marlow is amazing,” he says.
Chisholm Trail Arts Council dedicated to help visual arts thrive in Stephens County
STORY AND PHOTO BY TAMARA GREGOR
Where creativity meets influence, Duncan’s local arts council strives to bring the fundamentals of art through programs, events and more across the county.
To meet the needs of future artists, Chisholm Trail Arts Council utilizes programs, such as the CTAC Live! Concert Series, Art
Education in Schools, Arts Explosion and the CTAC Art Gallery.
CTAC Executive Director Darcy Reeves said there are a plethora of ways the Arts Council assists artists in Stephens County and surrounding areas – from providing gallery space, teaching classes, having a presence in the schools and hosting various concerts.
Reeves said the purpose and mission of the Arts Council is to “promote and inspire the arts in Southwest Oklahoma.”
Through these strong and healthy programs, Reeves said other projects have seen success. One of the most successful areas for CTAC, Reeves said, is the community support the nonprofit
receives from local businesses, major business sponsorships and each of the members and patrons who support the arts each year.
That’s thanks to a “strong working board of directors and committee volunteers that have shown dedication through their time served,” she said.
CTAC partners with other arts organizations, like Duncan Little Theatre, the Lawton Philharmonic Orchestra and Davis-Waldorf Performing Arts Series, to bring events to town.
Patrons can support CTAC by purchasing Flex Cards for the upcoming concert series. Reeves said the Flex Cards are a free “ticket” given to members. She said this is a way to help support the surrounding area’s performing programs across Southwest Oklahoma.
CTAC also provides gallery space for artists to hang their work. Reeves said this includes all levels of experiences – not just the professionals.
“Artists are able display and sell their artwork in a professional setting with opening night receptions that focus on their talents in visual arts,” she said.
Several local artists help teach classes and Reeves said these artists are paid for their time as well.
The artists teach a variety of classes, such as CTAC parties, Arts Explosion kids camp, demonstrations and workshops.
Reeves said area artists are included in the Art Education in Schools Program.
“This program provides artists in-residence to area schools within Stephens County free ... to participating schools,” she said. “The end goal is to provide new experiences to the students.”
And the experiences continue in the summer time, thanks to CTAC.
In 1991, Arts Explosion, a week-
long summer camp, began for students in third through fifth grades. As the program grew, new grade levels were added. Around 3,275 students have enrolled in the classes over the past 30 years.
In 2014, a teen class was added to the lineup and in 2018, kindergarten through second grade students got a seat at the table also.
Reeves said Arts Explosion has, on average, 10 art teachers who are paid to help teach lessons during the week-long art camp.
Since working for CTAC, Reeves said she’s proud of the many consistent programs they host.
“One that is particularly close to my heart is the partnership we have with DRH Health and the Cancer Center of SW Oklahoma,” she said. “We (CTAC) provide the artists, the hospital financially supports any expenses, and the CCSWOK connects all of us together with patients.”
In a six-week time period, Reeves said the artists will teach lessons to those who are participating with their “plus one.”
“It is a wonderful time for everyone to just decompress, create, and most importantly, enjoy that time with others,” she said.
To foster more ideas, CTAC recently invited area teachers who dabble in the visual arts to participate in a “roundtable” meeting to help provide area networking, as well as share ideas, plan and brainstorm.
While visual arts is huge among CTAC, the performing arts share the spotlight.
Many of the CTAC artists are invited to the CTAC Live! Concert Series to do a pre-show before the main event.
“It provides these performing artists an opportunity to share their talent and love for music,” she said. “In front of a live audience. It exposes them to the com-
munity for future opportunities.”
Reeves said the Arts Council is currently in the 2024-25 membership drive phase.
“Last year, CTAC membership was at its highest peak in years of $17,500,” she said. “It is through these memberships, CTAC continues to bring strong programs to the community in which it serves. Our goal for 2024-25 fiscal year is $18,000.”
Reeves thanks everyone from this past year for making the membership drive successful. She said CTAC is looking forward to this year.
“It’s a way of supporting our local community – bringing quality of life through art to our community.”
To accomplish this goal, CTAC applies annually for a major organizational grant from Oklahoma Arts Council and one from the McCasland Foundation Grant.
“These two grants are the main supporting grants that help support the organization,” Reeves said. The grants provide about $42,000 in financial support for the Chisholm Trail Arts Council and its programs.
To become involved with the Arts Councils, Reeves said community members can volunteer, serve as a board or committee member, provide financial support or simply participate in and attend events.
For more information about membership or programs, call 580-252-4160, email admin@ chisholmtrailarts.com or visit www.chisholmtrailarts.com or www.facebook.com/Chisholm. Trail.Arts.Council0.
The CTAC Art Gallery is located at 810 W. Walnut Ave., Duncan. Hours of operation are from 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday. DM
Inspiring Hope through Art
Program fosters creative environment, expression
STORY COURTESY OF DRH HEALTH
The DRH Health Foundation, Chisholm Trail Arts Council, and Cancer Centers of Southwest Oklahoma — Duncan Campus offer a six-week art program for cancer patients and guests. The program focuses on providing a supportive and creative environment where participants can explore various art forms, express their emotions and find a sense of community.
Every week, local artists, including Lou Baggett and Josh Conway, share their talents with participants through a diverse range of mediums — oil paints, chalk, pottery and watercolors. This variety of art forms fosters creativity and offers a supportive space for participants.
“The program offers therapeutic benefits and a chance to connect with others going through similar experiences,” said Cyndi Crook, Executive Director of DRH Health Foundation. “And it is a fun and
relaxing evening for everyone.”
The first class was held in 2018 and it has been held every year except for 2020 and 2021. “The involvement of professional artists ensures that participants receive instruction and encouragement during the sessions,” shared Darcy Reeves, Executive Director of Chisholm Trail Arts Council. “We have even displayed the art at the CTAC Gallery for the participants and their families to enjoy.”
An art background is not required to participate in the classes. A sense of curiosity and a willingness to try new things is good. It’s not about whether you’re a trained artist or not.
The Inspiring Hope through Art program is free to cancer patients receiving treatment at the Taylor Le Norman/McCasland Cancer Center thanks to the generosity of artists and donors to the DRH Health Foundation.
Community Calendar
Oct. 5
NBHA Barrel Race
Oct. 9-12 Fall Exposition
Oct. 12 Happy Hens Auction
Oct. 17-19
Ram Prairie Circuit Rodeo Finals
Oct. 26
•GOP Chili Cook Off
•Happy Hens Auction
•Rowdy Swanson Memorial Bull Ride
Oct. 31
Duncan Arts, Crafts & Hobbies
Nov. 1-2
• Duncan Arts, Crafts & Hobbies
•Josey Barrel Clinic
Nov. 8-9
•Community Dinner
•Holiday Gift Market
Nov. 8-10 Tri-K Barrel Race
Nov. 15-17 HOYRA
Nov. 16-17 NBHA Barrel Race
Nov. 21-24 Texoma Jr. Rodeo Finals
Nov. 23 Happy Hens Auction
STEPHENS COUNTY FAIR & EXPO CENTER
FACES
LION KING HAS AUDIENCES ROARING WITH EXCITEMENT
Photos by Tamara Gregor
Disney classics came to life as young actors and actresses took the stage with a notable production of “The Lion King.” The summer 2024 musical production brought kids of all ages to showcase their musical and comedic talent.
FACES
ARTS EXPLOSION LIGHTS UP YOUNG ARTISTS’ CREATIVITY
The Chisholm Trail Arts Council’s annual Arts Explosion week brought prospective artists together from kindergarten through 12th grade to learn from a variety of teaching artists. The weeklong camp culminated with reception for the artists.
Photos by Tamara Gregor
DUNCAN
THROUGH A LENS
PARTING SHOT
PARTICIPANTS OF AN EIGHT WEEK WATERCOLOR CLASS HOSTED BY CHISHOLM TRAIL ARTS COUNCIL UNDER THE DIRECTION OF LOU BAGGETT CREATE SNOWMEN PAINTINGS. THE CTAC HOLIDAY ART SHOW AND SALE IS NEXT ON THE CALENDAR, SCHEDULED FOR THURSDAY, NOV. 14, 2024.
PHOTO COURTESY OF THE CHISHOLM TRAIL ARTS COUNCIL
