On June 30 of this year, the world celebrates the centennial anniversary of Allan Houser’s birth. In Oklahoma, nearly every major museum is on board. Here, a list of museums around the state celebrating the Houser centennial with exhibits.
Sounds of the Night
OSU Museum of Art, 720 S. Husband St., Stillwater
Houser’s 1980 bronze sculpture Sounds of the Night will be displayed in the OSU Museum of Art’s new Postal Plaza Gallery. On loan from the University of Oklahoma’s Fred Jones Jr. Museum of Art, the sculpture is an example Houser’s experimental stage with bronze and steel sculptures in the late ’70s and early ’80s. Sounds of the Night will be on display during regular museum hours now through October 27. More information here.
Allan Houser at the Capitol: A Legacy in Bronze
Oklahoma State Capitol, 2300 N. Lincoln Blvd., Oklahoma City
The Capitol already displays two Allan Houser sculptures: As Long As the Waters Flow, on the south plaza, andDialogue, in the Betty Price Gallery. Several other bronze works will be added to the Capitol grounds for the Allan Houser centennial and are available to view during regular Capitol tour hours until December. Admission is free. More here.
Allan Houser Sculptures
Will Rogers World Airport, 7100 Terminal Dr., Oklahoma City
Will Rogers World Airport has installed two of Houser’s sculptures: Prayer, in the central concourse, and The Future, on the lower level near Baggage Claim 4. The two locations were chosen so both incoming and outgoing visitors to the airport will get a chance to see the work of Allan Houser. The sculptures were installed January 15and will remain in the airport until December. More here.
Allan Houser Sculpture: Twilight Song
Museum of the Red River, 812 E Lincoln Rd., Idabel
Houser’s 1990 sculpture Twilight Song is a new and permanent acquisition by the Museum of the Red River. The sculpture went on display January 25 and will remain a part of the statewide Allan Houser centennial celebration until June 30. Admission is free. More here.
Allan Houser: On the Roof
Oklahoma City Museum of Art, 415 Couch Dr., Oklahoma City
The roof terrace of the Oklahoma City Museum of Art will exhibit six bronze sculptures created between 1980 and 1993 by Houser. The exhibit closes July 27. More information here.
Born to Freedom: Allan Houser Centennial
Oklahoma History Center, 800 Nazih Zuhdi Dr., Oklahoma City
The Oklahoma History Center exhibit Born to Freedom: Allan Houser Centennial will focus on Native cultural influences in Houser’s work. Through sculptures, watercolors, drawings, clay pieces, and sketchbooks, the exhibit illustrates the influence of not only Native but modern American culture and the environment on Houser’s work. The exhibit will run through December. More here.
Allan Houser: A Celebration
Philbrook Downtown, 2727 S. Rockford Road, Tulsa
Allan Houser won the Grand Award five times in Philbrook’s “Indian Annual” competition. Many of the pieces on display through November at Philbrook were acquired via Houser’s long involvement with the Indian Annual, including judging the competition in 1963 and 1976. The exhibit is on display from now until November 2. More here.
Allan Houser: Legend Born Free
Chisholm Trail Heritage Center, 1000 Chisholm Trail Pkwy., Duncan
Utilizing sculptures, tempura paintings, drawings and sketches, Legend Born Free focuses on the modernization of Oklahoma during Houser’s lifetime and the effect it had on the artist’s later work. The exhibit features the 1993 sculpture Desert Flower, as well as a special collection of illustrations by Houser, all on display until August 15. More here.
Allan Houser Celebration
Southern Plains Indian Museum, 715 E. Central Blvd., Anadarko
In addition to exhibiting Allan Houser murals, Anadarko will play host to the annual Fort Sill Apache tribe homecoming in September. The celebration will have a special component honoring Allan Houser and feature Native cultural-themed activities, events, and performances. Look for updates here.