The Oklahoma Visual Arts Coalition (OVAC) will feature 3 Spotlight Artists and 53 Survey Artists in their annual Momentum Exhibition. In efforts to reach audiences safely at this time, Momentum 2021 will travel to two locations. Selected works for exhibition are now on display at MAINSITE in Norman Wednesday — Saturday 10am — 4pm until March 27, 2021. Momentum will travel to Living Arts of Tulsa from April 2-23, 2021.

Before the pandemic, OVAC’s Momentum event was known for the artwork, bands, raffle games, and market area with original, affordable items by the featured emerging artists. This year, Momentum artists had the option to submit a market package for online bidding. The Momentum Market Virtual Auction will open on March 22nd at 9am and will close on April gth at 10pm. 70% of the winning sale price will go to the artist, while OVAC will keep 30%. The commission to OVAC will help cover our loss of $8,000 in admission sales due to the change in format of Momentum 2021. To browse the auction visit, www.32auctions.com/Momentum2021.

OVAC’s Momentum exhibition supports Oklahoma creatives aged 30 and under through financial backing, curatorial guidance, and professional development. With an environment created specifically for them, young artists gain experience, meet their audiences, and are exposed to the diverse artistic movements throughout the state. Learn more about this year’s artists, committee, and how you can support Momentum by visiting www.MomentumOklahoma.org.

“Momentum is a crucial program for Oklahoma’s young and emerging artists. For many of them, they are exhibiting and selling work for the first time. This equips them with the skills and experience to apply for more exhibition opportunities in the future,” says Krystle Brewer, OVAC’s executive director. “It is also a great platform to see who are Oklahoma’s next rising stars and to show our support early in their careers.”

The 2021 Guest Curator, Pablo Barrera, is Oklahoma Contemporary Arts Center’s Associate Curator, and the Emerging Curator is artist, writer, designer, and educator, Kristin Gentry. The curatorial team selected the Spotlight Artists from a highly competitive pool of submissions. Through Momentum Spotlight, the 3 selected artists receive an honorarium of $1000 each to create new artistic projects for Momentum. The Spotlight artists also receive three months of guidance from the guest and emerging curator, in efforts to refine their projects. The 2021 Spotlight Artists are Amber DuBoise-Shepherd (Shawnee), Andrea Duran-Cason (Norman), and Marium Rana (Tahlequah). In addition to the Momentum exhibitions, Spotlight Artists will have works on display at the 21c Museum Hotel in Oklahoma City until August 27⁰¹, 2021.

The Oklahoma Visual Arts Coalition is thrilled to present Momentum free of charge for all visitors this year. If you are able, please consider donating to help OVAC cover the loss of ticket revenue. Giving to Momentum is investing in the creative future of Oklahoma. Funding awards for young artists, curatorial honoraria, and statewide outreach would not be possible without the help of our supporters. Click here to become a sponsor today and support emerging artists across the state.

If you require special accommodations to attend or participate in Momentum, contact Audrey Kominski at (405) 879-2400 Ex. 2.

For 32 years as a nonprofit, OVAC has helped Oklahoma artists enrich the state. OVAC presents Momentum 2021 in partnership with MAINSITE in Norman and Living Arts of Tulsa. This program is supported by The Andy Warhol Foundation for the Visual Arts, National Endowment for the Arts, George Kaiser Family Foundation, Kirkpatrick Family Fund, The Oklahoma Arts Council, Norman Arts Council, Living Arts of Tulsa, Dunlap Codding, 21c Museum Hotel, The Chickasaw Nation, and Southwestern Printing. OVAC is an Allied Arts member agency.

The Oklahoma Visual Arts Coalition (OVAC) grows and develops Oklahoma’s visual arts community through education, promotion, connection, and funding. For more information regarding Momentum 2021 please visit: www.MomentumOklahoma.org.