Local Sculptor Displays Work At Skirvin Hotel

LaQuincy Reed started sculpting and painting in 2004 while at the University of Oklahoma. And currently he is working on a pretty significant project for Oklahomans. 

“With sculpture, you know, our challenge is making sure that the viewer wants to travel around the piece,” said sculptor LaQuincy Reed. 

It was that intrigue of having a full all-around angle of his work that pulled him more into sculpting and away from painting. 

“I was learning a whole lot more about learning the business of sculpting that I was painting and so that kind of showed me that maybe God was nudging me saying hey, this is where you need to go,” said Reed. 

When he found out about the urban artist residency program at the Skirvin Hotel, he knew it was perfect for him. 

“We get a chance to make our artwork here, we get a chance to engage the community, and visit with people that come from all over the country and talk up Oklahoma City,” said Reed. 

It’s called S.P.A.C.E. Skirvin Paseo Artist Creativity Exposition. It is through the Paseo Art Association, and it provides not only a space for Reed to work and display his craft, there’s also a small stipend that allows him to totally focus on his work. 

“It’s allowed me to have art shows and just really have my artwork travel without ever having to leave Oklahoma City,” said Reed. 

And it all came at the perfect time as he was contacted by the makers of the Clara Luper sit-in monument for downtown Oklahoma City. 

“They’re sculpting and putting together the counter, the sit-inners, the waitress, and I’m working specifically on Ms. Luper.”

His big challenge going into the project is capturing the different aspects of her life that people remember. 

“People remember different time periods and those stick out to that person, so you want to try and encapsulate everything into one work of art,” said Reed.  

In typical artist fashion, Reed rarely gets to a place of satisfaction with his work. 

“At some point you just have to get to a place where this is as good as I can do right now and then move off to the next one and do better on the next one,” said Reed 

Once he completes his work there will be a bronze mold created, the entire project is set to be revealed in the Fall of 2024.  

“Blessed to be brought on to work on this part of the project,” said Reed.  

There is no cost to visit the art studio and Reed does have some of his work for sale. You can visit the studio at the Skirvin Hotel Monday and Tuesday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Wednesday – Friday 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.