ArtSpace: The Ponca City Art Association

Story & Photos by Brenda Baugh / Ponca City Monthly Staff Writer

The Ponca City Art Association is a symbol of this community much like our beloved Pioneer Woman statue. For over 54 years, the PCAA has invested in the art community through education, promotion and “enriching the cultural life in our community.”

The hard work of these PCAA members had been done under the green-tiled roof of the Godance Soldani Mansion. But 2020 ushered in big changes for the PCAA: a new location, a new sense of purpose and a new executive director.

Terron Liles was selected as the new Executive Director for the Ponca City Art Association in February. Liles, a 9-year Ponca City resident and former vice president of the PCAA Board of Directors, began his new role on February 18. His dedication to the promotion of the visual arts and his love for Ponca City made the board members’ search for a new director a much easier task. Southwestern art hangs on the gallery walls at the new PCAA's location.

The PCAA has a permanent collection of 2D and 3D art currently on display.

As Liles was taking on the responsibilities of his new position, PCAA also was also selling their old facility to move to the City Central Building, 400 East Central. The Ponca City Art Association’s new 1,293 square-foot facility is located on the fifth floor in Suite 501.

Liles states the PCAA was looking for a facility that was more manageable than the three-story historic Mansion, listed on the National Trust for Historic Preservation. The new office building has modern, angular design features and provides an ideal, neutral backdrop to the PCAA’s permanent art collection.

The brightly-lit artist studio provides a great workspace for artists to create masterpieces.

Terron Liles, PCAA Executive Director

For the artists, the most beneficial gain from new studio space is abundant natural light. The large windows allow natural light, even on rainy days, to flood every artist’s studio. This much celebrated and valuable tool allows artists to continue to create and be inspired.

The new gallery space allows the PCAA to display its permanent collection. The multiple pieces were previously stored due to lack of space; thus, essentially hiding the valuable collection from public view. Selling 85 pieces and displaying 17 in the gallery on the fifth floor has allowed the PCAA to focus on and “revolve [the collection] around the central theme of American art from the Midwest and Southwest regions,” Liles says. Gallery hours are 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., Tuesday through Friday, or by appointment. City Central Building is located at the corner of Central Avenue and Fifth Street. The grounds surrounding the City Central Building will allow public artwork to be displayed, as well as provide extra space for upcoming PCAA arts festivals. The new location will provide outdoor and indoor space for artists to display their artwork.

The Ponca City Art Association’s Arts Festival is the longest-running festival in the state of Oklahoma and brings thousands of attendees and several artists from across the region each year.

The arts festival is a juried show with cash awards given to artists in a number of categories. This is a family-friendly event with music, food and areas designed for the attendees to get inspired to create some art, also.

The Ponca City Arts Festival is held annually in September. Although the PCAA Arts Festival will not be held in person this year, the board is considering holding a virtual show 2020 BOARD OF DIRECTORS: in some capacity. Despite the President: Liz Leaming festival not being held in person in Vice President: Mary Anne O'Neill 2020, the PCAA has big plans for Treasurer: Cynthia Wilson 2021. Secretary: Vonda Blando Elaine Armstrong

If you are an artist, food vendor Tristen Starkey or musician/entertainer wanting Kelsey Wagner to participate in an upcoming Chelsi Hendrickson show or festival, please visit Kimberlyn Bivins the PCAA website at www. Amy Geurin poncacityartassociation.org or call 580-765-9746. Aimee Snyder Debra Bellmard Hong Fu Nathalia Hiatt