Oklahoma Visual Arts Coalition is pleased to announce the 2024 THRIVE Project Grants. THRIVE Grants aim to further support artists’ innovation throughout Oklahoma with project grants of up to $10,000. The THRIVE Grants program provides support for artist-led initiatives that create a positive impact in their communities. THRIVE Grants provides funding for collaborative artist-led projects across the state of Oklahoma that are open and accessible to the public.
The 2024 THRIVE Grant Awardees are as follows:
Nicole Emmons, Black Wolf’s Legacy: Reimagined History
Black Wolf’s Legacy: Reimagined Histories is an experiential expression of the Trail of Death, a two-month-long forced march of some 850 Potawatomi children, elderly, adults, from the Great Lakes Region down to Kansas in the fall of 1838. At their forefront were 4 Potawatomi leaders captured and thrown in a jail wagon, one of whom would later escape, help found a new community, be recaptured, and taken back to Kansas. This man’s name was Black Wolf, and this exhibition is dedicated to him.
Gabriel Evan Friedman, TC Cannon Book of Letters
TC Cannon Book of Letters is a project that was initiated on request of the artist’s mother, Rebecca Wheeler. She asked Friedman to publish and distribute this book of letters and art from her very close friend, the late TC Cannon. TC was considered one of great painters, poets and writers of his generation. TC and Rebecca had an extremely close friendship starting the early 1970’s connecting through art, life and their shared Okie backgrounds. This book contains about 30 poetically poignant letters and drawings from TC to Rebecca from 1973 until 3 months before his death in 1978.
Kalup Linzy, Queen Rose Art House Experimental Film and Video Art Workshop and Exhibition
The Queen Rose Art House Experimental Film and Video Art Workshop and Exhibition will bring together a community of Oklahomans who create or appreciate experimental films and video art. Engaging with Oklahoma as a muse or subject, participants will explore its history, the present moment, and/or its imagined future.
Bryanna Mitchell, Oklahoma Black Fashion Week
Oklahoma Black Fashion Week (OBFW) will revolutionize the fashion industry in the southern region of the United States by showcasing Oklahoma’s vibrant creativity. Taking place in Oklahoma City, this event aims to elevate emerging Black designers, models, and artists, providing them with greater visibility and opportunities.
Đan Lynh Phạm, Southern Ems
Southern Ems is an exhibition showcasing three Vietnamese American women artists reflecting on the upcoming 50th anniversary of the Fall of Saigon (April 30th, 1975). The Fall of Saigon caused nearly two million Vietnamese refugees to flee the motherland over a twenty-year span. This event led to the Vietnamese diaspora and the establishment of a significant Vietnamese community in the United States. Among them were the families of each participating artist. Through this exhibition, these artists will each explore their family’s post-war migration, upbringing as children of refugees in midwest America, and their efforts to archive their family history.
Jennifer Saenz (Ahyoka), Beadtelling the Freedmen of the Five Tribes
The Beadtelling the Freedmen of the Five Tribes A Native American Visual Beadwork Art Exhibition showcasing portrait beadwork of the Freedmen and Freedmen descendants of the Five Civilized Tribes. The co-creation process involves Cherokee Beadwork Artists Jennifer Saenz and Vicky Watson. Also, Designer Debbie Franklin Richard and Supporting Designer Jennifer Saenz. Beadwork Artists Vicky Watson and Jennifer Saenz are a Mother-Daughter Artistic collaboration. Their beadwork combines traditional Native American beading techniques with innovative portrait beadwork design. It is a fusion of storytelling and beadwork, both integral parts of Native American culture – called Beadtelling™. This exhibit is about on ongoing part of history and creating a better tribal future.
Denae Smith, Bridging Generations
Bridging Generations is a groundbreaking art initiative designed to spotlight the rich creativity of both adult and youth minority artists in Oklahoma City. This dual exhibition will feature a diverse array of artworks from established and emerging adult artists alongside a dedicated section showcasing the talents of young artists. The project includes an exhibition, engaging panel discussions led by artist, and the publication of a commemorative book to celebrate and document the contributions of all participating artists.
Jordan Wright, The Archive of Loneliness
Archive of Loneliness is a multimedia zine which aims to connect and highlight unpublished Oklahoman queer artists, writers, journalists, photographers, etc., who feel like they have no place in Oklahoma’s ostensible 2SLGBTQIA+ community. The project is being led by “Astraphoria,” a multimedia art duo consisting of Jordan Wright, and Chris West. Selected artists will be encouraged to collaborate with one-another and create new works to be printed. They will also help plan release events/exhibitions for the Zine, featuring music, food, and a roundtable discussion between contributing artists, the lead artists, and other invited guests.