A Story of the Portraits Gallery Exhibit

This exhibit was on display from January 19, 2021, to September 8, 2021. 

Please visit our Special Exhibits page to see what is currently on display!

The portraits featured in this exhibit reveal ten patrons who helped establish Oklahoma's museums during the twentieth century. Drawn from several cultural institutions, these stories reveal many contributions made by these patrons-contributions that defined Oklahoma's early cultural community and continue to have an impact today.

Though these patrons come from diverse backgrounds and experiences, they share connections and their stories reveal similarities. The exhibit highlights artists who cultivated successful visual arts careers while helping establish arts institutions that continue to support artists today. Also featured are collectors, whose donations of precious art and artifacts served as the founding collections for museums. Finally, the exhibit explores the impact of philanthropists, many connected to the oil and gas industry, on Oklahoma's early cultural institutions.