Two dozen works on paper mean two dozen reasons to visit Stillwater’s Gardiner Gallery this month

When I was a kid, I was that weirdo who was always excited on days when it rained, and we got to stay in from recess. I lived for those days, because while the other kids were setting up Battleship games, playing with the class bug zoo, or trying to figure out how to jump rope indoors without breaking anything or shattering the teacher’s sanity, I was sitting at my desk with a piece of white paper.

Even now, I get a little excited at the thought of a blank piece of paper. In my younger days, when I thought I might be an artist, I never went anywhere without a sketch pad and some art supplies. Even now, I get a bit of a thrill when I open my journal up to a new blank page. What will I say? What will I create? What does the future hold? It’s all right there in all the nothing-yet.

Paper is the star of the show in the traveling exhibit 24 Works on Paper, currently showing at the Gardiner Gallery of Art on the Oklahoma State University campus in Stillwater. The 24 Works exhibit is a long-standing Oklahoma arts tradition, having begun in 1985 as a project of Individual Artists of Oklahoma. Since 2009, the Oklahoma Visual Arts Coalition has been a part of the exhibit as well—an exhibit that travels to nine sites throughout the state’s six major regions over eighteen months to share the amazing work of Oklahoma artists with as many Okies as possible. The current show began in Weatherford in the fall of 2022 and will conclude in February 2024 at the Gaylord-Pickens Museum and Oklahoma Hall of Fame in Oklahoma City. In the fall of 2024, a new show will begin traveling again.

“It’s not just an art show,” says Fernando Calvillo, OVAC’s community relations director. “It’s a way for people to enjoy art, learn, and connect.”

“Trio” by Taylor Graham of Stillwater. Micron pen on watercolor paper

Every 24 Works on Paper show is assembled by a guest curator. The 2022-24 exhibition is curated by Michael R. Grauer, who is the McCasland Chair of Cowboy Culture and Curator of Cowboy Collections and Western Art at the National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum in Oklahoma City. In his distinguished career, Grauer has curated more than 150 exhibitions on Western art, culture, and history, and he’s authored more than seventy publications, including his 2019 book Making a Hand: The Art of H.D. Bugbee, which won a Wrangler Award from the Western History Association for Best Art Book.

“Charros” by Nayelly Morales of Oklahoma City. Graphite

In addition to providing locals with the chance to see works by some of Oklahoma’s most dynamic and interesting artists, the show also provides an educational component. Several artists have created lessons aimed at different grade and experience levels that help students understand the techniques at work and, as a result, appreciate the pieces in a way they might not have otherwise. I like to think a future 24 Works on Paper artist is doing some of these right now. For example, check out this lesson for kids in kindergarten to second grade from Oklahoma City artist Katelynn Noel Knick:

"We are excited to share 24 Works on Paper with OSU and the Stillwater community,” says Keri Smith, OVAC’s programs and exhibitions manager. “As a statewide organization, our mission is to promote and connect artists from different regions to new audiences. Several incredible Stillwater artists are featured in this exhibition alongside artists from all over Oklahoma.”

“There She Glows” by Rachel Rector of Tulsa. Cyanotype, 35mm digital negative, tea, watercolor paper

24 Works on Paper will be at the Gardiner Gallery of Art through September 14, after which it moves on to Durant, where it will show at the Centre Art Gallery at Southeastern Oklahoma State University through November 24. On December 9, it opens in its final exhibition at the Gaylord-Pickens Museum in Oklahoma City, where it will remain until Valentine’s Day, February 14. But don’t wait until you’re desperate for a date-night idea—this show is one of Oklahoma’s true art treasures, and it’s worth seeing now and often. And as a reminder: All of the artworks are for sale, and they are a great way to support Oklahoma artists—and get some of your holiday shopping knocked out early.

“Tunisia” by Candacee White of Tulsa. Mixed media

Written By

Nathan Gunter

A sixth-generation Oklahoman, Weatherford native, and Westmoore High School graduate, Nathan Gunter is the magazine's editor-in-chief. When he's not editor-in-chiefing, Nate enjoys live music, running, working out, gaming, cooking, and random road trips with no particular destination in mind. He holds degrees from Wake Forest University and the University of Oklahoma. He learned how to perform poetry from Maya Angelou; how to appreciate Italian art from Terisio Pignatti; comedy writing from Doug Marlette; how to make coconut cream pie from his great-grandma; and how not to approach farm dogs from trial and error. A seminary dropout, he lives just off Route 66 in Oklahoma City.