The Seminole Arts Council hosted their first “Art Walk and BBQ Cook-off” on Friday and Saturday, July 9 -10. This event included plenty of artwork on display as well as a BBQ contest and other vendors. The Council plans to host the Art Walk on the second Saturday of each month, weather permitting. They hope to include live music and other activities in the future.

Other plans include eventually establishing a Seminole Arts Council Event Park where families can create artwork, play games, and enjoy a safe, friendly environment. This will be a place where they can stage plays and other live shows. They also plan to sponsor an Art Festival and quilt show and help revitalize the local parks and other places for young people.

Vice President Amber Carter explains that she and the other members recently researched the history of the Seminole Arts Council, a non-profit organization, and they were greatly impressed by the events they used to offer the community, including musicals and plays, face painting and art shows, etc. They have been inspired to rebuild the Council to that level again. However, there are currently only approximately ten members, so they are working on raising awareness and interest as they continue expanding.

One of the displays during the weekend Art Walk included pictures from the past as well as hints of where they plan to be in the future. A short history in this display explains the organization first began in 1967 after John Marshall, Seminole Chamber of Commerce Secretary at the time, invited Willa Mae Townes to a meeting called by Governor Henry Bellman at the State Capitol proposing the promotion of arts and humanities in Oklahoma communities. This eventually resulted in formation of the Oklahoma Arts Council.

In 1969 the Seminole Arts Council was officially founded to “assist and encourage all existing groups promoting the Arts, encourage the development and expansion of the Arts and Humanities in Seminole and surrounding area, and to cooperate with the State Organization – The Oklahoma Arts and Humanities Council.”

The Seminole Arts Council stresses that you do NOT have to be an artist to help, but they want to help you become an artist if that’s what you want to do. Any amount of time you can volunteer for any project will be greatly appreciated. To learn more, contact the Seminole Arts Council by e-mail at seminoleartscouncil@gmail.com or call (405) 303-1191.