Art in the Gardens
The Spaces in Between: Works by Lauren Florence
- Exhibition run dates: October 19 – December 2, 2020
- Located in the Visitor Lobby on the south end of the Crystal Bridge Conservatory
- Free to view during visitor hours: Monday-Saturday, 9am-5pm; Sunday, 11am-5pm
Lauren Florence began painting in 2013 after moving to Oklahoma City with her family. Using vibrant colors and drawing influenced by a lifetime spent in the American Southwest, her subject matter is inspired by a deep love of its people and wildlife.
Fascinated by the character and stories existing in some vintage snapshots, she began including them in her work. Continuing to be drawn into the natural narratives in these photographs, Lauren began adding layers, patterns, and silhouettes to the compositions, adding to or changing the narrative. Always beginning with an abstract ground, and allowing whole sections as well as small slivers to show through on the finished piece is a way to reflect and explore the unpredictability and hidden nature of the subjects themselves.
A graduate of the University of Kansas, Lauren received a BFA in textile design. After a decade-long detour managing IT solutions on energy trading floors in Tulsa and Houston, Lauren got back to her artistic and textile roots operating an art wear company based in Bartlesville where she eventually met her husband through a mutual friend. They now call Oklahoma City their home and have an 8-year-old son who keeps them both very active especially now that third grade is taking place in their dining room.
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Fireflies by Nathan Pratt
- Now open through fall 2020
- Meinders Terrace
- Read more about this exhibit, a collaboration with Oklahoma Contemporary’s grand opening
Softly blinking fireflies grace the grounds of Myriad Botanical Gardens as part of a metro-wide public art experience celebrating the grand opening of Oklahoma Contemporary. Taking inspiration from the golden flashing light of fireflies on a warm summer night, Oklahoma artist Nathan Pratt has created more than two dozen mixed media fireflies is installed in the Meinders Garden.
The installation taps into the innocence of childhood where the golden haze of a setting sun plays with the enchanting glow of fireflies. It is part of Bright Golden Haze: Reflections, a partnership with Oklahoma Contemporary and funded by a series of grants from Kirkpatrick Family Fund to extend the theme of light from the art center’s inaugural exhibition, Bright Golden Haze.
UPCOMING
The Spaces in Between: Works by Lauren Florence
October 19 – December 2, 2020
Lauren Florence began painting in 2013 after moving to Oklahoma City with her family. Using vibrant colors and drawing influenced by a lifetime spent in the American Southwest, her subject matter is inspired by a deep love of its people and wildlife.
Fascinated by the character and stories existing in some vintage snapshots, she began including them in her work. Continuing to be drawn into the natural narratives in these photographs, Lauren began adding layers, patterns, and silhouettes to the compositions, adding to or changing the narrative. Always beginning with an abstract ground, and allowing whole sections as well as small slivers to show through on the finished piece is a way to reflect and explore the unpredictability and hidden nature of the subjects themselves.
A graduate of the University of Kansas, Lauren received a BFA in textile design. After a decade-long detour managing IT solutions on energy trading floors in Tulsa and Houston, Lauren got back to her artistic and textile roots operating an art wear company based in Bartlesville where she eventually met her husband through a mutual friend. They now call Oklahoma City their home and have an 8-year-old son who keeps them both very active especially now that third grade is taking place in their dining room.
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Permanent Sculpture
Sculpture Addition to the Children’s Garden
“Friendship” Sculpture: Well-known Boston artist, Nancy Schön, has captured the true nature of friendship in this bronze sculpture of two prairie dogs on display in the Children’s Garden.
Story Teller Chair
“Storyteller’s Chair” Sculpture: Oklahoma City artist, Don Narcomey, created this Sculpture with bois d’ arc wood (Osage Orange), an extremely hard and decay-resistant wood used in the past for fence posts and bows to shoot arrows. It is a magical addition to storytime in the Children’s Garden.
Gold Fish Sculpture
“Goldfish” Sculpture: This Texas Cream Limestone sculpture measuring approximately 18” x 4’ x 5’ 10” displayed on the lake level is a Fancy Tail Goldfish. This sculpture was created by Oklahoma City artist, Kendall Howerton.
“Gateway” Sculpture
“Gateway” Sculpture: Artist Hans Van de Bovenkamp created the 14-foot red abstract sculpture as a means to connect the organic forms of nature with urban architecture and the environment. You can find this sculpture in the northwest corner of the Gardens.