An underwater scene featuring a sea turtle swimming near the ocean floor, surrounded by various types of seaweed. Above the turtle, a penguin is swimming. The background shows shades of blue representing the water and light filtering through from above. — Katie Walyn, "Fabulous Flippers," 2019, hand-dyed cotton and wool, commercial cotton, crystal beads, 50 in x 46 in. Photo by Angelia Peterson.

Things are getting wild at the OSU Museum of Art with new exhibition

Thursday, May 22, 2025

Media Contact: Carla Shelton | Associate Director | 405-744-2786 | carla.shelton@okstate.edu

“Fur, Fangs, Feathers & Fins” will open May 27 at the Oklahoma State University Museum of Art.

This free-to-view exhibition highlights amphibians, apex predators and everything in between in their beautiful yet fleeting habitats.

The quilts used in this exhibition are not what one may typically expect. These quilts tell intricate stories of wild animals in their natural habitats. The use of quilts as works of art can be dated back to the 1700s, and now they’re telling an even more insightful story.

This exhibition was created by Studio Art Quilt Association Inc. It not only draws light to a variety of wild animals but also highlights the creativity and uniqueness in the mediums used.

Carla Shelton, associate director, museum collection and chief registrar, commented on what sets this exhibition apart.

“What makes this show special is the way it blends craftsmanship with big ideas,” Shelton said. “Each piece is not just visually interesting, but also invites you to think — about nature, about what it means to be ‘wild,’ and how we fit into the bigger picture.”

Although the creativity showcased in this exhibition is remarkable, the bigger picture Shelton mentioned can be seen in each of the individual pieces.

The impact people have on the environment is undeniable, and the possibility of this exhibition sparking conversation and intuitive thinking is exciting.

“The exhibition gives people a chance to slow down and really reflect on the world around us — how we relate to animals, to nature and to each other,” Shelton said.

The birds, fish, mammals and reptiles portrayed in “Fur, Fangs, Feathers & Fins” are intricately crafted works of art that, like so many other artworks, give way to a deeper meaning hidden beneath the surface.

Visitors can look forward to various engaging programs throughout the exhibition, including two Second Saturday events from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. on June 14 and July 12. These free, drop-in events feature hands-on art-making activities inspired by the exhibition and are open to all ages.

The museum will also host special programs in partnership with the Stillwater Art Guild in June and the Stillwater Public Library in July, offering unique opportunities to connect with the exhibition through community collaboration. The exhibition will be on view at the museum through July 26, 2025.

Learn more about these events and the exhibition at the website.

A detailed illustration of a group of elephants standing closely together. The image prominently features the legs and trunks of several adult elephants, with a baby elephant positioned in the center, walking among them. The baby elephant's head is slightly lowered as it moves forward. The background is filled with the overlapping legs and bodies of the adult elephants, creating a sense of protection and unity around the young one. — Left: Holly Cole, "The Toto," 2021, canvas, cotton, dye, fabric paint, 74 in x 58 in. Center: Sharon Buck, "Lords of the Forest," 2021, acrylic paint, fabric, 40.5 in x 53 in. Photo by Tiffany Danielle. Right: Jayne Bentley Gaskins, "Pointless Parroting," 2019, cloth, 30 in x 17 in.

A colorful quilted artwork depicting two woodpeckers flying among tall, slender trees with yellow and orange trunks. The background features a textured pattern resembling a forest scene. — Left: Holly Cole, "The Toto," 2021, canvas, cotton, dye, fabric paint, 74 in x 58 in. Center: Sharon Buck, "Lords of the Forest," 2021, acrylic paint, fabric, 40.5 in x 53 in. Photo by Tiffany Danielle. Right: Jayne Bentley Gaskins, "Pointless Parroting," 2019, cloth, 30 in x 17 in.