OSU Dance students rehearse at the museum near "Vintage Dr. Gonzo," a bronze sculpture by Jud Bergeron, part of "Ralph Steadman: And Another Thing."

OSU Museum of Art hosts reception celebrating Ralph Steadman’s influence and local creativity

Thursday, April 3, 2025

Media Contact: Casey Ihde | OSU Museum of Art | 405-744-2777 | casey.pankey@okstate.edu

The Oklahoma State University Museum of Art invites the public to a special reception celebrating the impact of “Ralph Steadman: And Another Thing” on university students and the Stillwater community from 5-7 p.m. on Friday, April 18.

Coinciding with the Stillwater Arts Festival, the reception will showcase local artistic responses to Steadman’s work. Attendees can enjoy live music and light refreshments while engaging with a diverse range of creative projects inspired by the exhibition.

Steadman’s provocative and bold artistic techniques have sparked curiosity and creativity among students and community members alike.

“Bringing together the university and the broader Stillwater community through the Steadman exhibition has been an exciting experience,” said Carla Shelton, associate director and chief registrar at the museum.

“I’ve seen Steadman’s work inspire curiosity, challenge perspectives and spark many conversations.”

The Steadman Student Showcase — on view April 1-19 — features an array of artistic responses to Steadman’s work, including an interpretive dance film by OSU’s theater department, artwork by Lincoln Academy students exploring Steadman's splatter techniques, masks created at Stillwater Public Library's masquerade ball at the museum, a book of paintings from Prairie Arts Center's spring break camp and artwork by participants of the museum's Collage Club.

Steadman 1 — OSU Honors students share sketches created during a tour at the OSU Museum of Art.

The reception will offer a special opportunity to meet the community artists, enjoy live music, and pick up a copy of a special zine compiling the various works and engagements.

Jessica Oliver, OSU visiting assistant professor of dance, reflected on the creative process behind the dance piece.

“Art is an incredible connector of people. It invites us to connect our own experiences to those of the artist and other audience members,” Oliver said. “For this project, it has been a fun challenge to connect our aesthetic values as dance-makers to Steadman’s world, and we are excited to see how the audience at the reception connects to our dance film.”

The exhibition and its accompanying programs have provided students with a unique opportunity to engage with the work of a renowned artist.

“For university students, it’s an opportunity to engage with a professional artist’s work and gain insights into his creativity,” Shelton said. “For the community, it’s a chance to experience outstanding art close to home, making contemporary artists more tangible and relevant.”

Oliver also noted the dedication of her students in bringing their artistic vision to life.

“They love Steadman’s art and really connected to his 'Alice in Wonderland' pieces. They have been so passionate about this project that they scheduled extra rehearsals and stayed late to ensure its success,” Oliver said.

The showcase will be on display through April 19. The reception will take place from 5-7 p.m. on April 18 at the OSU Museum of Art. Visitors are encouraged to explore the student and community artworks while celebrating Steadman’s enduring impact. Admission is free and open to the public. For more information, visit https://museum.okstate.edu/art/ralph-steadman.html.