First Americans Museum Celebrates Opening Weekend, Shares Art From 39 Oklahoma Tribes

The First Americans Museum in Oklahoma City officially opens to the public after decades of planning. 

The museum features several major art pieces designed to teach Native American History. 

As the state invested in the First Americans Museum, a percentage of funding was required to go to public art. 

The Oklahoma Arts Council said the first piece commissioned welcomes people to the museum. Touch to Above was done by Cherokee father and son team Bill and Demos Glass. 

Walking inside, people will see other large pieces all done by Native Americans. 

The Oklahoma Arts Council said all the installations at the museum are symbols of cultural expression, designed to share the story of the Indigenous people of Oklahoma. 

"Knowing that these are handmade pieces by the artist really gives you a sense of the monumentality and importance of this musem," said Amber Sharples, the executive director of the Oklahoma Arts Council. 

The 175 thousand square foot First Americans museum has been a project nearly three decades in the works. 

All throughout the building you'll see design elements that are meaningful to the 39 tribes represented in our state. 

The museum officially opens Saturday, tickets for opening weekend are on sale for $5.