Inasmuch Foundation Gallery

"THE JOURNEY OF A SURVIVOR: Hope from Incarceration through Scouting" -and- 
"Gamel Art Collection"

May 23 through August 12, 2016

OCCC Visual and Performing Arts Center 

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"THE JOURNEY OF A SURVIVOR: Hope from Incarceration through Scouting"

Oklahoma City Community College (OCCC), in conjunction with Girl Scouts of Western Oklahoma and the Office of Juvenile Affairs (OJA), presents the final exhibit of art works created by girls receiving treatment in the OJA Secure Center in Norman, Oklahoma. The Girl Scouts provide weekly programming on subjects such as anti-bullying and self-esteem. Through this curriculum girls are encouraged to experiment in various art activities to develop positive coping skills and stress relief. By exploring art forms such as painting, pastels and poetry, they have been able to depict their struggles and share their story.

The need for awareness, positive girl programming and mentorship is extremely important for the girls in OJA care. The girls hope that by sharing their story, others will begin to understand the struggles they have faced in their young lives and the social problems that contributed to their current situation. These new social skills, along with their treatment, will help them become successful and productive citizens when they return to their communities.

Through their art the girls express their thoughts and feelings and how drug use, human trafficking, abusive relationships and bullying affected their lives. Their art also reflects how they’re working through those problems with the help of the Girls Scouts.

A new group of works by girls will open in August in Norman. For information about the program, contact Katelyn Gleason-Dockery, Community Programs Specialist with the Girl Scouts of Western Oklahoma, at (405) 528-4475 or kgleason@gswestok.org. Volunteers are always needed for these programs, especially for mentoring.

To volunteer at an OJA facility, contact Paula Christiansen, Communications, at (405) 530-2800 or paula.christiansen@oja.ok.gov, or visit their website at www.ok.gov/oja.

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"Gamel Art Collection"

Oklahoma City Community College (OCCC) is presenting a special collection of Western art and bronzes donated to the college by Ralph Gamel.

The special exhibit features recast bronze and pewter sculptures.  Paintings include original oils, watercolors, and lithographs which feature Western art, landscapes and city scenes.  Artists that will be featured in the exhibit include Frederick Remington, C.M. Russell, J. Graham, Robert M. Anderson, May Jones, Gene V. Dougherty and Philip Kraczkowski.  Also on display are limited edition Gorham plates by Remington and Russell.
 

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For more information call 405-682-1611, extension 2581 during Gallery hours, or the Cultural Programs office at 405-682-7576 during non Gallery hours.