Opening Night Celebration To Highlight Work Of Diverse Community Of Artists

On New Year’s Eve, The Chickasaw Bricktown Ballpark will feature murals designed by upcoming artists.

Five artists are part of the New to Arts Council OKC's Opening Night virtual New Year's Eve celebration aimed at promoting artists of color.

“I think it’s really good for young artists and everyone growing up really to see a more diverse community of artists, even if it’s local. I think it’s even more important when it’s local,” Jasmine Jones, one of the artists said.

A picture is worth a thousand words. A couple of words that pop out in the art pieces are heritage, hope and self-reflection.

“I want to inspire someone who looks like me. For someone who looks like me your two heroes either dribble a basketball or play with a mic. Because of that, we grow up believing those are the only two ways out. At the end of the day, I am just a brown kid relying on a dream to rescue him, but my dream is a little different,” artist Verdean Thompson said.

Artists that are part of the program also receive mentors to help them through the process. For some of the artists this is their first time working on a large canvas. They said that's why they wanted this opportunity.

“It’s making me realize different things about my work,” Jones said.

“It’s a door that leads to other doors. I’m trying to make a work of art with this opportunity not just a piece of art,” Thompson said.

Each artist will receive a prize pack, but only one will win a Thunder grand prize. If you would like to vote for your favorite mural design, click here.