A summer print odyssey
Written By: Maya Joy Banks and Aaliyah Ellison
It's that time of year again and we’ve got something up our sleeve that gives the Oklahoma heat a run for its money. The Paseo Arts and Creativity Center is set to give you a splash of color, intrigue and joy this summer. It’s the perfect time to step into the world of art and culture through two new printmaking exhibitions!
First, let’s embark on an adventure. An adventure unlike any you've ever known – B.B and O.J's Great Adventure by Wesley Kramer. For Kramer, each layer of his printmaking tells a story that draws the audience into an exciting story filled with vibrant colors, patterns and fantastical characters.
Pictured: The Grand Voyage (Wesley Kramer)
This isn’t just any art exhibition - it's a journey through an immersive printmaking landscape where you, the viewer, become a part of the story. As you pull, spin, and engage with the interactive comic book elements, you're invited to see how your actions and choices impact the storyline. The conclusion of this personalized tale is up to you!
Complementing the interactive comic book are large prints and ceramic characters, bringing Kramer's prints to life. It’s the perfect way to become immersed in Kramer’s artistic vision and spark a conversation about how our actions affect the world around us.
Pictured: Wesley Kramer and Ceramic Characters
We are also celebrating homegrown talents with Print on Paseo. This annual, juried printmaking exhibition brings the diverse and remarkable talents of Oklahoma's printmakers into the spotlight. From traditional to contemporary, this year’s exhibit proves that printmaking is alive and thriving in the Sooner State! Featuring artists like Michelle Canning, Alyssa Beth Cox, Virginia Sitzes, Jim Weaver, and more, Print on Paseo promises a wide variety of styles.
Pictured: Arréglate! by Ruth Sanchez, Relief Print
Michael Loren Diaz, who is providing his expertise as this year’s juror, is the Assistant Professor of Drawing and Printmaking at the University of Central Oklahoma. Diaz has earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Drawing and Printmaking from the University of Central Florida and a Master of Fine Arts in Drawing and Painting from Arizona State University. Diaz’s artwork has been exhibited nationally and included in the annual Drawn exhibition at Manifest Gallery. He has also received the American Austrian Foundation Seebacher Prize, the Elizabeth Greenshields Foundation Grant, and the Oklahoma Visual Arts Coalition Creative Project Grant.
Pictured: do what you need to feel alive 2 by Virginia Sitzes, Screen Print
These summer exhibitions are not just showcases of creativity but an invitation to engage, experience, and explore art in ways you haven’t before. Grab your sunscreen and a hat - the adventure is about to start in Paseo!
Art isn't just something to be viewed from afar - it's a living, breathing story to be part of, interact with and be inspired by. This summer at the Paseo Arts and Creativity Center, we're writing that story together. Whether you're an art connoisseur, eager environmentalist or a curious visitor, we can’t wait to welcome you. These exhibits are available through July 29, 2023.
Paseo Arts and Creativity Center is located at 3024 Paseo, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, 73103.
