People friendly art gallery has showing

By Christian Price, News9.com INsite Team

 You don't have to be a seasoned expert to enjoy art, you just need to know what your personal tastes are.

According to Stephen Kovash, the owner of the Istvan Art Gallery, there's only one rule you need to consider when visiting an art gallery.

"It doesn't have to resemble a Picasso and you don't have to know the history of it," Kovash said. "If it looks good over your couch, then buy it."

Instead of moving away to large cities and becoming part of the art scene elsewhere, some artists are deciding to reside in the Sooner State.

"In Oklahoma, people say, ‘What are you still doing in Oklahoma?' or ‘Why don't you go to Santa Fe?' or ‘Why don't you go to New York City?'", Kovash said. "When you go there, you're a small fish. When you're here, you're kind of a big fish."

Artist who travel to Oklahoma are impressed by the caliber of art and the talent of our local artists.

"A couple of years ago, we brought a bunch of New York artist down to kind of work with Oklahoma artist and they were amazed about, number one, the beauty of Oklahoma and the quality of the artist that are here," Kovash said. "We have some of the best artist in the world it's just that they don't know it."

Skip Hill is an Oklahoma artist whose work has been shown around the world.

"I feel as though I'm touching the best of who I am as a human being when I'm creating art," Hill said.

Hill's work is on display at the Istvan Gallery. To him, the Istvan gallery is different from other art galleries in one aspect.

"This particular gallery is very people friendly and that's why I encourage people to come out to the Istvan Gallery and check it out," Hill said.

Hill said he believes a lot of people don't give enough credit to art itself.

"Art, it's a part of our lives that I think we can touch in some form or fashion and we need to foster that within our lives," Hill said. "It's the better part of ourselves."

Istvan Gallery is host to another art show being held May 9. Kovash invites everyone to come out even if you're not an art expert. The galleries atmosphere is comfortable and inviting, and Kovash even promises to not act like a curator.

The art show will be open from 6-10p.m.