NOC Dedicates Yatika Starr Fields’ Murals
Ponca City Now - December 18, 2024 6:27 am
Three sets of murals, created by Osage artist Yatika Starr Fields, were dedicated Wednesday at Northern Oklahoma College Tonkawa’s Cultural Engagement Center.
The murals, located in the CEC and the Pickens Learning Commons, encompass over 5,000 square feet.
Fields was commissioned by Hugh Pickens to create the murals as part of the existing art collection in the Pickens Learning Commons in the Vineyard Library Administration Building.
In introducing Fields, Pickens said, “Our vision was for Yatika to create something that was immersive, something that had art on all sides and I think we accomplished that today. Yatika has the ability as an artist to see beyond the present, access spiritual realms through visions that undertake long journeys.”
Fields started by thanking NOC and the relationship that has developed over the years with President Emeritus Dr. Cheryl Evans and current President Diana Morris Watkins, Sheri Snyder and Hugh Pickens.
“This was a collaboration of individuals who appreciate art with a unique vision and I’m glad we crossed paths to do that because it created and enabled a place to educate,” Fields said. “This can be a place to nurture creativity through envisioning a new future. That’s what this college has done over its history.”
“In the three years of this project, I have learned so much about NOC and the Tonkawa community as well as the Ponca Nation and Tonkawa Nation,” he said.
He also took time to describe the murals and how the history of NOC played a part in the symbols included in the murals.
Sheri Snyder, Vice President for Development and Community Relations, emceed the program.
“Today is a continuation of a wonderful partnership we (NOC) have had with Mr. Hugh Pickens and the Doctor Pickens Museum, Inc., which started in 2020 under the presidential leadership of Dr. Cheryl Evans, when Hugh (Pickens) commissioned the beautiful 50-foot murals painted by Yatika here in our Cultural Engagement Center,” Snyder said.
Snyder added that In April 2022, NOC administration presented the vision of the Tonkawa Library and new contemporary Student Learning Commons to the Northern Oklahoma College Board of Regents, where they not only approved the project, but also approved the naming of the facility “The Pickens Learning Commons” thanks to the substantial support from the Doctor Pickens Museum, Inc. In June, the contract was renewed between the College and the Pickens Museum and Hugh commissioned the two stunning murals totaling 100’x20’ by Yatika. Additionally, there are over 80 pieces of artwork in the Pickens Learning Commons, which makes it one of the most significant art collections on display in northern Oklahoma.
“This leads us to the present time under President Diana Morris Watkins leadership – This past summer, Mr. Pickens and Yatika sat down with us to discuss the potential of creating the third set of murals in the CEC along the West wall expanding 32 feet long and 14 feet high and the South wall expanding 46 feet long by 5 feet high,” Snyder said. “Today we dedicate the completion of murals project. In total, all three sets of murals encompass over 5,000 square feet.”
“What an exciting day for NOC,” said president Diana Morris Watkins. “How blessed are we to have friends like Hugh Pickens who support the cultural life of the college? When he approached Sheri (Snyder) and me about once again bringing in the incredibly talented artist Yatika Starr Fields, we, of course, quickly jumped on that opportunity. The Pickens Learning Commons and the Cultural Engagement Center provide our campus community with museum quality experiences right here in Tonkawa, Oklahoma, and we are grateful for friends like Mr. Pickens who generously assist in providing high-quality, accessible, and affordable educational opportunities for NOC students.”
The latest murals make a total of six in the library and Cultural Engagement Center on the NOC Tonkawa campus.
The murals may be viewed during regular business hours.
Pickens is the president of the Pickens Art Museum in Ponca City.
