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Allied Arts Quarterly Newsletter Volume 10, Issue 4, Summer 2017 2017 Campaign

Led by Ann-Clore and Walt Duncan and Camilla and David Ostrowe, the 2017 fundraising campaign raised a total of $3,114,965 for central Oklahoma’s cultural community.

“We are elated to have surpassed our $3 million goal,” said Walt Duncan. “Each and every donor was vital to the success of the 2017 campaign. People from all walks of life and businesses representing a myriad of industries came together to support arts education in schools as well as quality and affordable programming for all.”

Campaign co-chairs celebrated the success of the campaign with more than 200 volunteers, supporters, art administrators and Allied Arts friends at the Campaign Celebration event on June 15. Presenting Sponsors for the event were The Chickasaw Nation, and OGE Energy Corp; Signature Sponsors were AT&T Oklahoma, Civic Center Music Hall, David & Camilla Ostrowe, Jeanette & Rand Elliott and Ann-Clore & Downtown OKC, Inc. and . Walt Duncan reveal the amount raised by the Campaign Celebration event with help from Camp Canterbury students. The event was also an opportunity to recognize and thank the commitment and dedication of campaign volunteers, the leadership and vision of 2017 Honorary Chairs Jeanette and Rand Elliott, and the generous support of campaign donors. Leading the way as Visionary Donors were: AT&T/ Brackets for Good, The Chickasaw Nation, Devon Energy, and OGE Energy Corp. Overall, Allied Arts received support from more than 5,700 corporate, individual and foundation donors.

As in years past, employee giving was an integral part of this year’s campaign success. In 2017, employee giving donors contributed more than $600,000 – a 16% increase from last year. The top-producing employee giving partners were employees of the City of , Devon Energy, American Fidelity Assurance, OGE Energy Corp, , Tapstone Energy, , Ackerman McQueen, SONIC America’s Drive-In and INTEGRIS.

Larry & Polly Nichols and Aimee & David Thank you to everyone who Harlow were announced as 2018 campaign supported Allied Arts in 2017! leadership at the Celebration event. Stewarding Your Investment

As part of the annual allocations process, two sets of teachers, parents and students. For example, they heard volunteer committees convened in April and May to ensure from a mother whose ADHD-diagnosed son found the that Allied Arts donor contributions are invested in healthy, most effective “medicine” through music instruction and sustainable and relevant cultural nonprofit organizations. performance. Agencies weaved creativity into their presentations as well, with the committee instructed on After independent review of agency budgets, IRS 990 singing a barbershop harmony tag, creating paintings with forms, audits and other documentation, the allocations light and dancing African steps. finance committee convened for a full day to assess the financial well-being of Allied Arts member agencies. As recommended by the allocations committee, the Allied Consisting of bankers, accountants and executives, Arts board of directors approved more than $2.4 million the committee determined that all Allied Arts member to be granted during the 2018 fiscal year through its three agencies are on solid administrative and financial footing. grant programs. Allocations are directed to the 26 Allied Regarding Allied Arts’ smaller organizations, they were Arts member agencies; the educational outreach program impressed with the breadth of their impact considering the provides critical funding to ensure school-age children small size of their budgets and staff. have access to arts education and cultural opportunities; and the capacity-building grant program helps arts noprofits A few weeks later, the allocations committee listened to become stronger businesses. The latter two programs are presentations delivered by member agency staff and open to any qualified, arts and cultural nonprofit based in board leadership over a three-day period. This committee’s central Oklahoma. focus was on community impact and caliber of program delivery. As such, presentations covered agency successes The deadline for the next cycle of educational outreach and challenges, numbers reached with programming and and capacity-building grant requests is August 11, 2017. organizational plans for growth. Committee members For more information, visit alliedartsokc.com/grants or were moved by the stories of impact told firsthand by email [email protected].

2017 Allocations Committee 2017 Allocations Debbie Nauser, STRAT COMM (Chair) Finance Committee Grant DeFehr, Moon Chemical (Chair) Allen Brown, Allen Brown Architects Mike Mitchell, Chickasaw Industries Tricia Everest, GableGotwals Darlene Parman, Parman Easterday Steve Foskin, CrossFirst Bank Cindy Hunter, Community Volunteer Christina Rehkop, Devon Energy Joe Hodges, SSM Healthcare Ed Krei, Retired, The Baker Group Lonny Towell, Retired, Kerr-McGee Chris Kenney, American Fidelity Leslie Martin, Continental Resources Carol Troy, Troy Consulting Bryan Lemmerman, Glen Maynard, Devon Energy Paige Williams, The Chickasaw Nation Chesapeake Energy Barry Murphy, Cushman & Wakefield Travis Mason, Cushman & Wakefield Max Myers, Tall Oak Midstream Chuck Thompson, Republic Bank & Trust

Sherry Marshall, executive director of A quartet from OK City Chorus performs Science Museum during allocations presentations. Oklahoma, leads allocations volunteers in an experiment painting with light. Leave a Legacy for the Arts With the annual campaign over, Allied Arts has shifted its fundraising focus to its affiliated fund held at the Oklahoma City Community Foundation. As directed by the strategic plan, Allied Arts has a long-term goal to build its endowment to a level where 100% of campaign funds are directed to grantmaking programs. You can help us work toward that goal by making a donation to the Allied Arts endowment.

Endowment donations are fully tax-deductible, and checks should be made to Allied Arts. If you would like to contribute, you may use the envelope included in this newsletter. All donors will be listed in the next edition of the newsletter. Volunteer of the Year At the Allied Arts annual meeting on June 15, Carol Troy was presented with the 2017 Zach D. Taylor Volunteer Award. Nominated by Karen Luke, Troy has been involved with Allied Arts several decades as board chair, executive committee member and campaign co-chair. Most recently, she serves as an honorary board member and was part of this year’s allocations process.

The annual award was created after the passing of Zach D. Taylor, one of Allied Arts’ most ardent champions, to recognize steadfast Allied Arts volunteers. Taylor served the organization in a number of capacities over two decades, including allocations chair, co-chair of Allied Arts’ biennial fundraising gala – OPUS, and as board chair.

The award committee is comprised of former award winners including Dr. Mason Jett, Lonny Towell, Joan Maguire, Former award winners celebarate with the 2017 winner, Debbie Nauser, Jean Hartsuck, Lance Benham, Carl Carol Troy. (From left) Lonny Towell, Debbie Nauser, Shortt Jr. and Steve Mason as well as Alison Taylor, Alison Taylor (wife of the late Zach D. Taylor for whom Zach’s widow and an Allied Arts volunteer. the award was named), Steve Mason and Carl Shortt Jr. We are the Champions! Farewell to Board Chairman Allied Arts hosted a block party on After two years of steadfast and strategic leadership, June 28 to celebrate C. Renzi Stone presided over his last meeting as Allied its national Brackets Arts board chairman on June 15. To conclude the board For Good $100,000 meeting, Stone passed the gavel to Tricia Everest who will grand prize. serve as board chair until June 2019. Presented by AT&T During his two- Oklahoma and year tenure, Stone Downtown OKC (from left) Steve Hahn, AT&T , more than 200 oversaw steps to Inc. Oklahoma president, Allied downtown workers strengthen and Arts president/CEO Deborah and Allied Arts further engage board McAuliffe Senner and Mayor neighbors escaped members, lent his Mick Cornett marketing expertise the heat with free in support of the sno-cones, enjoyed a live performance from Oklahoma’s “Art Can” awareness own Darci Lynne Farmer of America’s Got Talent fame campaign launch and explored their creativity with live art demonstrations. and challenged A championship banner, provided by Walker Companies, the organization to was unveiled and will be on display throughout the summer. fundraise in more Sponsors and Allied Arts employees sported BFG t-shirts creative ways. He donated by Oklahoma Shirt Company. Tricia Everest accepts the gavel will continue to serve as incoming board chair from on the board for the Thank you to everyone who donated outgoing board chair C. Renzi next two years as in support of Allied Arts’ historic run during Stone. past chair. the Brackets For Good tournament! The Greatest ARTini on Earth On April 7, Allied Arts held its 12th annual ARTini event. Chaired by SONIC employees, Kimberly Cope and Jason Acock, The Greatest ARTini on Earth raised more than $54,000 through sponsorships, ticket sales, art auction and raffle proceeds. This year’s event exhibited a record number of photographs, sculptures and paintings from both up-and-coming and well-known, respected Oklahoma- rooted artists.

Local restaurants also participated in the event by providing food and martinis that corresponded with the vintage circus theme. A panel of celebrity judges tasted the offerings of the competing restaurants and recognized The Pump Bar with Best ARTini, Park Avenue Grill with Best Décor and Yuzo Sushi Tapas with the Best Dish. All guests in attendance had the opportunity to vote for their favorite martini Kimberly and named 1492 New World Latin Cuisine as the People’s Choice Cope and winner. Thank you to all the participating restaurants including Jason Acock Aria Lounge, Benvenuti’s, Guyutes, Museum Café, Pizzeria Gusto, co-chaired this The Sushi Bar and VZD’s Restaurant and Bar. year’s ARTini committee. Presenting Sponsors were 110 Events, Devon Energy, OGE Energy Thanks to all who Corp., and Traction. Signature Sponsors were The Oklahoman and volunteered to Prairie Wolf Spirits. VIP Sponsor was Kickapoo Casino Harrah & help make the Shawnee; Photo Booth Sponsor was Bank of Oklahoma; Art Gallery event a success! Sponsor was Paycom; Entertainment Sponsor was Cox Business; and Valet Sponsor was AT&T Oklahoma.

Follow @alliedartsokc for announcements on the 2018 ARTini event. As part of the Catalyst benefits package, members of the Allied Arts young professionals group receive complimentary admission to the annual party. To join Catalyst and to learn more about networking and leadership opportunities through engagement with the arts, please email [email protected].

Thank you to all sponsors and players for another successful (Above) The Pump Bar celebrates its win golf tournament! for Best ARTini! (Left) An ARTini guest enjoys work at the silent art auction. Chip In for the Arts Art lovers and golf enthusiasts alike convened on May 8 at the Oklahoma City Golf & Country Club to “Chip In for the Arts.” Chaired by Mims Talton, the annual golf tournament raised more than $31,000 through sponsorships, golf team registrations and raffle sales. Birdie Sponsors were Devon Energy and OGE Energy Corp; Glove Sponsor was Bob Moore Land Rover; Golf Cart Sponsor was Flogistix; and 19th Hole Sponsors were AT&T Oklahoma and Kickapoo Casino Harrah & Shawnee.

Congratulations to the Great Clips Special thanks to our in-kind partners which included 405 Magazine, Anheuser- team who took home the Chip In for Busch, Bank of Oklahoma, BC Clark Jewelers, Ben E. Keith, Golf Galaxy, the Arts Corporate Cup! MidFirst Bank, Oklahoma City Thunder, Ozarka and Top Golf. Artist Spotlight Local artist Joe Slack began sculpting with wood and later concentrated on metal, introducing longevity, durability and a legacy through art. A slow evolution of simplified form, Slack’s work is tactile and intuitive. His pieces are a reflection of himself. Each sculpture represents an experience unique to him. Slack only had basic art classes as a child and is self-taught. His drive has always been: “In art if you’re not failing, you’re not evolving and you’re not trying.”

Growing up, expressionist Bert Seabourn was instrumental in encouraging Slack’s creativity. Seabourn’s neighbor, Slack visited his studio often, watching him create and admiring his talent. Seabourn was also the first artist Slack saw that earned a viable living as an artist. During his sophomore year at OCU, Slack made the decision to pursue art, studying the craft under the leadership of Jack Davis.

Slack describes his creative process as less methodical and more “organized chaos.” The “squirrel effect,” he says, leads him from one piece to another as he waits for the work to speak to him. There are typically 10-15 pieces under construction at a time, giving him the opportunity to turn his brain off and jump from one piece to another. Artist Joe Slack with his piece Forward Motion located at Funnel Design “It’s good to know when to step away,” he explained. Sometimes a phrase or Group at 17 NW 6th Street in OKC. conversation will lead him to create. One sculpture will lead to another. Left- over scraps can inspire something new.

Installations by Slack can be found across the country—displayed in major metropolises including Dallas and Los Angeles, but Slack’s true passion is delivering durable works of art that leave a legacy in his own backyard. To navigate the art world in Oklahoma, Slack volunteers with Allied Arts member agencies. He’s chaired OVAC’s Momentum exhibition for three years and participated for seven, built sanctions and pedestals for exhibits at the Oklahoma City Museum of Art, and manufactured two 10’x12’ doors for the museum for other artists’ work to be showcased. An advocate for the arts community, his opportunities grow while benefiting others.

Slack has also showcased work in Oklahoma Contemporary’s ArtNow and Guerrilla Art Park, in addition to Arts Council Oklahoma City events and Allied Arts’ ARTini fundraiser. Last March, Slack’s new studio – a hip refurbished warehouse – served as the venue to celebrate 2017 Allied Arts campaign honorary chairs Jeanette and Rand Elliott.

Slack has enjoyed mentoring his assistant, Gary Locke. A fellow woodworker, Locke has evolved into a brilliant metal artist. “Apply, apply, apply,” Slack recommends to aspiring artists. “Expect 10 noes to every one yes.” Trial and error is a part of the process. Some of his work, 10 years in the making, remains unfinished.

You can view Slack’s work at an upcoming commission to be installed in late August. Five sculptures were commissioned by NBC Bank for their Altus branch. A year in the making, this project will feature pieces ranging from 60-102" in height, and is a (Left) Rand and Jeanette Elliott pose mixture of his earlier and current work. with Joe and Angela Slack in Slack’s new studio located at NW 5th Slack’s sculptures may also be found at Street and McKinley Avenue. (Right) Direction, which Slack regards as his most satisfying piece, was selected for permanent placement by Southern Oaks Library, Infant Crisis the Norman Public Arts Board at the intersection of Gray Street and and Services Center, Midtown Vets Webster Avenue in Norman. The sculpture has thousands of individually Earlywine Park, or on his website at welded lines and took more than six weeks to complete. www.joeslack.com. Shop and Support the Arts Non-Profit Before you start your back to school shopping, U.S. Postage PAID visit smile.amazon.com and select Allied Arts Oklahoma City Foundation as your charitable organization of Permit #581 1015 N. Broadway, Ste. 200 choice. Amazon will donate a portion of your Oklahoma City, OK 73102 purchases to Allied Arts. Happy shopping! 405.278.8944 www.AlliedArtsOKC.com

IN THIS ISSUE: • 2017 Campaign Wrap Up • Your Investment at Work • Zach D. Taylor Volunteer Award • Brackets For Good Celebration • New Board Leadership • 2018 ARTini and Golf Tournament Results

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