OKC Art Openings Friday 05.09.2008

Drawing Blood, mixed-media photographic work, by Romy OwensDrawing Blood, mixed-media photographic work by Romy Owens.

It's a busy week in the Oklahoma City area. Here are some shows opening this Friday night:

Romy Owens and Michael Joy Wilson at Istvan Gallery, 1218 N Western Ave.

Live on the Plaza, a now-regular Plaza District art walk, on NW 16th street between Blackwelder and Indiana. The Guy and I are hoping to move to the Plaza this summer and begin participating in these events.

Narciso Argüelles, with works by Joe Ramiro Garcia and Luis Jiménez, at Untitled Artspace, 1 NE 3rd St. This event includes a Luis Jimenez print sale!

Birthe Flexner Open Studio and Pottery Sale, at Park and Symmes in Norman. Birthe's studio will be open Friday, May 9, 7-9 pm, Saturday, 10 am to 5 pm, and Sunday, 1 pm to 5 pm. Birthe is an exceptional potter, a fixture of Oklahoma art, and an old friend of the family. The trick is to get there early, and when you see something you like, snap it up immediately.

My current show Idiolect remains open at AKA Gallery, 3001 Paseo, in OKC.

Want to stay abreast of Oklahoma art events? Here are three things that worked for me:

Join OVAC, the Oklahoma Visual Arts Coalition. It's $35 a year for individuals and was the second smartest thing I did for my career (after moving to Oklahoma in the first place).

Join MySpace if you haven't already. Look me up there and follow my friend links to find other up-and-coming Oklahoma artists.

Sign up for the Untitled Artspace e-newsletter. It's frequent and thorough.