A story in the Tulsa World over the weekend sent me down a rabbit hole to find more about small-but-nicely-crafted replicas of the Statue of Liberty that were installed in 200 towns across America seven decades ago. The Tulsa newspaper noted the 8 1/2-foot-tall Statue of Liberty at 17th Street and South Harvard Avenue in … Continue reading Statue of Liberty replicas contain their own historical cachet
Category: Art
Program features Route 66 artist Jerry McClanahan, Round Barn volunteer Mr. Sam
The Oklahoma Educational Television Authority, which contains a network of PBS stations across the state, recently aired a 28-minute "Gallery America" segment about Route 66 artist and researcher Jerry McClanahan and effervescent Arcadia Round Barn volunteer "Mr. Sam" Gillaspy. The program is well-produced. Check it out below: McClanahan's art gallery just off Route 66 in … Continue reading Program features Route 66 artist Jerry McClanahan, Round Barn volunteer Mr. Sam
The story behind the buzzard on Route 66 in Springfield, Missouri
The Springfield News-Leader newspaper in Missouri has a regular feature that serves as an Answer Man column, where Steve Pokin tries to dig into and solve local mysteries -- some serious and some not-so-serious. Pokin was on vacation, so staff writer Wyatt Wheeler took over during the interim. Wheeler received this question in his email: … Continue reading The story behind the buzzard on Route 66 in Springfield, Missouri
New retro sign goes up at Josh Stout Gallery in southwest Tulsa
A new but retro-looking sign for Josh Stout Gallery lighted the night for the first time Tuesday evening in the Red Fork neighborhood just off Route 66 in southwest Tulsa. Stout, who specializes in creating sculptures and paintings, said in a telephone interview Tuesday he moved his gallery from his home in March into the … Continue reading New retro sign goes up at Josh Stout Gallery in southwest Tulsa
New murals add positive vides during a trying time
Two murals -- one in Albuquerque and another in Miami, Oklahoma -- seek to give people a positive outlook during the current coronavirus pandemic. The first mural by an artist named Paz is at Walter Street and Central Avenue (aka Route 66) in Albuquerque. KOB-TV in Albuquerque reports: The mural showcases two wings, in black … Continue reading New murals add positive vides during a trying time
Improvements coming to Andy Payne Park in Foyil
The town of Foyil, Oklahoma, soon will embark on improvements to Andy Payne Park -- best-known for its statue of Payne running -- off old Route 66 in the village. According to the Claremore Daily Progress newspaper in nearby Claremore: The improvements, budgeted at $11,000, will include three new picnic tables covered by a large … Continue reading Improvements coming to Andy Payne Park in Foyil
New art space at Powerhouse Visitors Center in Kingman to feature Bob Waldmire
New art space at the Powerhouse Visitors Center in Kingman, Arizona, will feature the works of late Route 66 artist Bob Waldmire when it opens March 14. According to a news release from the Historic Route 66 Association of Arizona, the art space will feature Route 66 artwork on a rotating basis. The news release … Continue reading New art space at Powerhouse Visitors Center in Kingman to feature Bob Waldmire
Oklahoma City station features Route 66 researcher and artist Jerry McClanahan
KFOR-TV in Oklahoma City recently ventured to Chandler, Oklahoma, to do a 2 1/2-minute feature about Route 66 artist and researcher Jerry McClanahan at his shop there. The best part from the video's transcript: Just outside sits an idling 1954 Chevy station wagon, not so different from the cars his father used to drive on … Continue reading Oklahoma City station features Route 66 researcher and artist Jerry McClanahan
Decopolis adding two stores along Tulsa’s Route 66
Decopolis, originally founded in downtown Tulsa to pay tribute to the city's storied Art Deco architecture, announced it is adding two stores along Tulsa's 11th Street alignment of Route 66. Decopolis founder and artist William Franklin told the Tulsa World newspaper he plans to open two venues, Decopolis Curiosities & Wonders and Tulsarama, at 1401 … Continue reading Decopolis adding two stores along Tulsa’s Route 66
New Oklahoma Travel Guide illustrations contain Easter eggs for Route 66 fans
I recently received an announcement the 2020 Oklahoma Travel Guide now is available for free to order from TravelOK.com. A news release touts Oklahoma's 400 miles of Route 66: “We are so excited about this new Oklahoma Travel Guide,” said Oklahoma Lt. Gov. Matt Pinnell, who is also the state’s Secretary of Tourism & Branding. … Continue reading New Oklahoma Travel Guide illustrations contain Easter eggs for Route 66 fans