OSU Museum of Art to honor Hargises, Stillwater Public Library at 2026 Masterpiece Moments Gala
Tuesday, January 13, 2026
Media Contact: Ashton Miller | OSU Museum of Art Marketing Specialist | 405-744-2783 | ashton.miller11@okstate.edu
The Oklahoma State University Museum of Art will honor longtime arts advocates V. Burns and Ann Hargis and the Stillwater Public Library during its 2026 Masterpiece Moments Gala, marking the first year the museum will formally recognize individuals and organizations whose work has significantly advanced the arts at OSU and in the Stillwater community.
At this year’s gala, the museum will present its inaugural Dick and Malinda Berry Fischer Arts Impact Award to former OSU President Burns Hargis and former OSU First Cowgirl Ann Hargis. The museum will also present its first Community Partner Award to the Stillwater Public Library. The gala will take place at 6 p.m., Feb. 7, inside the ConocoPhillips OSU Alumni Center.
The Hargises played a key role in the creation and growth of the OSU Museum of Art. Under Burns’ presidency, the museum opened its doors and became a center for inspiring exhibitions, arts education and community engagement.
“His and her involvement has been instrumental in making sure this museum survives,” said Bill Goldston, a 1966 OSU graduate, printmaker and owner of Universal Limited Art Editions, a master print studio in New York.
Dr. Kirsten Olds — associate provost for the arts, OSUMA director and Marilynn and Carl Thoma Professor of the Arts at OSU — knows firsthand how influential the Hargises were for the arts at OSU.
“Burns and Ann were visionaries in understanding the importance of the arts for a land-grant institution and in investing in the arts — including in building the museum — to benefit campus and community,” Olds said.
The museum will also honor the Stillwater Public Library, a long-standing collaborator whose partnership has strengthened arts programming for children, teens and adults. Over the years, the library and museum have collaborated on various initiatives, including Second Saturdays, family programs, tours and community events.
“Collaborating with the OSU Museum of Art has been really meaningful for us this past year because they have just gone above and beyond creating opportunities and working with us to create the best experience for kids, teens, adults — everyone in the community,” said Jordan Stine, teen and adult services librarian at the Stillwater Public Library.
Catherine Mintmire, children’s services specialist at the Stillwater Public Library, said collaboration allows both institutions to better serve the community.
“The Stillwater Public Library and Oklahoma State University are both very central to the Stillwater community,” Mintmire said. “And the more we can work together as a team, the more we can accomplish.”
Mintmire also emphasized the value of combining literacy and visual art.
“Combining literacy and visual arts is not a luxury — it is a necessity,” Mintmire said. “The more you can learn about one, the more you’ll understand about the other.”
This year’s gala, Masterpiece Moments: A Classic Night in Black and White, will offer a more elegant and immersive experience than ever before. The 2026 event features a fully curated evening with wine and cuisine thoughtfully paired with selections from the museum’s permanent collection. The special four-course menu is carefully planned by Russell Carter, executive chef of The Ranchers Club Steakhouse, with wine pairings selected by Walter “Dusty” Logan of Handcrafted Wine & Spirits of Oklahoma. Guests are encouraged to wear black-and-white cocktail attire to complement the event’s classic theme.
Proceeds from the evening will support the museum’s exhibitions, educational programs, outreach initiatives — including Second Saturdays and community art kits — student internships and more, and it ensures the museum remains free and accessible to all.
For tickets and more information, visit the website.