Written By: Maya Joy Banks and Aaliyah Ellison

Prepare for an escape from the humdrum of everyday life as we invite you to journey through majestic landscapes and meet some real-life heroes. It's June, and we have three, awe-inspiring exhibits at the Paseo Arts and Creativity Center that you simply cannot miss!

Left to Right: *Lunch Date with Activism, The Mighty Ruby*, and *Girl Dad* (Tiffani Nicole)

To start, in Gallery I, we present the Heroes Exhibit by Poetic City Visual Arts. This themed exhibition is not just art, but a celebration of the heroes in our lives. Who exactly are these heroes? They include historical Black leaders and innovators that forged change within the community, parents, popular comic-book and anime superheroes, everyday samaritans, and more. The Poetic City Visual Arts (a dynamic collective of visual artists including Tiffani Nicole, Sunee Rice, Kensi King, Rico Young, Wesley Luster, Courtney Sterling, Amber DeCassios and Kaleah Hines) provide homage to the heroes who touch our hearts and inspire our lives.

Each work of art reflects their creators' distinct style, passion and perspective. The artists are here to take you on a journey of appreciation. Heroes come in many forms, and through this exhibition, you'll experience their unique stories that are told through each piece.

But the artistic journey doesn't stop here.

Next, let’s take a trip to the Wichita Mountains with the visual artist VC Torneden's exhibit, The Wichitas.

From Torneden’s first visit to the landmark, its majestic view held her captive with its otherworldly charm. The abrupt rise and fall of the mountain ridges, which contrast the expansive prairies, display an enchanting otherworldliness.

Torneden has shared this mesmerizing spectacle with us in the form of large format prints! Step into Gallery II, and you'll find yourself amidst The Wichitas, with each print serving as a tribute to their magnificence. The gallery transforms into an immersive landscape, enveloping you in the grandeur of the mountains through Torneden’s eyes. In this exhibit, you will be able to visit the Wichita Mountains without leaving Oklahoma City!

In Gallery III, Jose Trejo Maya presents Transparencies in Time, an interactive, multiphase poetry exhibition that highlights Mesoamerican lore through manuscript. The “Ethno Poetry” is shown on plastic transparency film and is inspired by Maya’s upbringing in Celaya, Guanajuato, Mexico. The poet dreamed of this “written prophecy” while engaging in a ceremony with Chololo medicine men at the Tule River Reservation and created a comprehensive exposé on a “pre-Columbian notion of time.”

Left to Right, Top to Bottom: *No Ones to Blame*, *Untitled*, *Untitled 2*, and *Transparencies in Time Bio* (Jose Trejo Maya)

This June, the Paseo Arts and Creativity Center is brimming with vibrant creativity, transporting you to distant landscapes, introducing you to extraordinary heroes and appreciating Mesoamerican culture, artistry and lore. So, what are you waiting for? Visit the Paseo at 3024 Paseo, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, 73103 to experience these exhibits before they leave on July 1, 2023.

Whisk away on an artistic journey this June!

A summer print odyssey