OSU Arts Week comes to a close
Wednesday, April 30, 2025
Media Contact: Jeff Hopper | Communications and Media Relations Manager | 405-744-5827 | jeff.hopper@okstate.edu
After an exciting week full of different activities and riveting shows, Oklahoma State University Arts Week has officially come to an end, and plans to be back in full swing next year.
OSU Arts Week 2025 began on Friday, April 18, with different activities to get people involved with the arts. Units from across — most of which are part of the OSU Arts Committee — partnered to give participants a chance to explore the various types of art offered at OSU.
“They create joy at a time when we need it, and we always need that in our lives, along with so many more things. They help us understand ourselves and our history and envision new futures. So, that all is so deeply embedded in what it means to be a land-grant university,” said Dr. Kirsten Olds, associate provost of the arts.
Art Week is all about allowing students outside the arts to try out different forms of expression and to learn a little bit about the many forms of art classes and activities offered at OSU. Many events were free to students, giving them the perfect chance to explore something they aren’t used to or haven’t done.
“Similarly, I think it's important for students to know that there are opportunities for this type of engagement with the arts, and you don't have to be an art major or super dedicated to any sort of art to be involved and kind of have a creative outlet,” said Elise Braggs, a senior studying studio art and art history.
OSU offered screen printing, keynote speakers, live performances, and shows to highlight the different courses and outlets students at OSU have to practice and express art. Art Week extended to other OSU campuses with the Tulsa Literary Festival at the Center for Poets and Writers and Entertainment Media is at OSU-Tulsa.
"There are always things happening at OSU that students, faculty, staff and the community can participate in. These include Greenwood School of Music performances, Department of Theatre productions, Department of Art, Graphic Design and Art History exhibitions at the Gardiner Gallery of Art, classes at the Prairie Arts Center, and traveling shows at the OSU Museum of Art," said Elizabeth Gosney, College of Arts and Sciences marketing and communications manager. "The best part is these opportunities are free or really affordable, especially for students."
Many events that occurred are part of students' final projects for their classes, such as the Euphoria Fashion Show, a lively catwalk showcasing work from junior and senior students majoring in fashion design and marketing. The Frontier Mosaic release party was another event that gave students a platform to share their final work and create a community for writers to come together with other student writers.
“I'm published in Frontier Mosaic, and I'm an author, and I write fiction and poetry. I think this event is important because it's not only supporting a local bookstore that supports other artists, but it's artists supporting artists and bringing in the community to support those artists,” said Grey Baker, senior strategic communication major.
Other events like the Ralph Steadman: And Another Thing exhibition at OSU Museum of Art have been around since January, but a student showcase was created for this week to show the different artwork students made based on the renowned artists’ work.
"While there’s a lot of necessary focus on STEM education, we can’t forget the critical part that the arts play in developing well-rounded people capable of creative problem solving. The arts activate different areas of our brains and allow us to see new perspectives, leading to greater empathy, collaboration and innovation," Gosney said.
Arts Week was a success, promoting many programs and people who aren’t always recognized for their work. Each year, the hope is to expand and grow the festivities and add more programs so students can engage and try new outlets.
Story By: Darby Rains | Darby.rains@okstate.edu