Alva Review-Courier -

OKLAHOMA CITY - Oklahoma high school students are displaying artwork at the Graceful Arts Center in Alva Jan. 5-30 in conjunction with the Oklahoma Arts Institute's Tour de Quartz exhibition. Graceful Arts Center is located at 523 Barnes Ave. Artwork featured in the Tour de Quartz exhibit was created during the 2023 Oklahoma Summer Arts Institute (OSAI), a prestigious arts academy held each summer at Quartz Mountain State Park & Lodge in southwestern Oklahoma.

During their time at OSAI, students are immersed in one of eight artistic disciplines and taught by nationally renowned artists. Former faculty members include winners of the Pulitzer Prize and the Academy, Tony, Emmy, and Grammy awards. Visual artist Richard Hull of the Art Institute of Chicago served as drawing and painting instructor for the 2023 Institute, while Atlanta-based photographer Isaac Diggs instructed photography students.

"Tdohasan" is a digital archive print by Lauren Cargal, a student at Jenks High School.

This summer, drawing and painting students received in-depth training in acrylic painting and the photography cohort explored digital and film photography. The 2023-24 Tour de Quartz exhibit reflects the students' OSAI experience, with each student artist represented by one piece of artwork.

Students are selected for OSAI through competitive statewide auditions, and every accepted student attends the program on full scholarship. Auditions are held online in January and February. For more information, visit oaiquartz.org.

Graceful Arts Center is open 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Monday through Friday and 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturdays. Admission to the gallery is free. Contact the gallery at 580-327-2787 or [email protected] for more information. For more information about the Oklahoma Arts Institute or the Tour de Quartz, visit oaiquartz.org or call 405-605-7500.