City Council- Vote tomorrow!

Wear your “I Voted” sticker to the Plaza District tomorrow, and receive special discounts or treats!

Here in the Plaza District, we rely heavily on our relationship with City Council.  The Commercial District Revitalization Program through the City of OKC provides funding and staff support to continue the progress we’ve made with our volunteers and community involvement. We work with the city to address issues as well as receive assistance in many areas–traffic, zoning, crime, permits, special events, funding, business assistance, renovations and more. Pretty much anything that happens in the district has gone through a process with the city first.

This is why our relationship with City Council is so important. We work tirelessly with departments within the city, but we need to be backed by City Council for ultimate decisions. Two of the four council members that sit on the Commercial District Revitalization Committee are up for re-election. Voter turnout is expected to be less than 5%…this is terrible considering local government is the easiest way to see change in your community!

The City of Oklahoma City is a huge part of why the Plaza District is here. The Plaza District is a great example of neighborhoods empowering themselves and working with local government to move forward. However, this goes even further than us. You have the chance to work in your own neighborhoods to make them a better place. Please vote tomorrow, and make sure your voice is heard–but not just tomorrow–stay involved!

Plant the Plaza!

Last year's Plant the Plaza group with Wayne and Michelle Coyne!

We’re gearing up for Plant the Plaza, and while we will need volunteers for the event day…we really need volunteers to plan the event! We are needing some help to:

-gather and organize volunteers

-identify projects for the workday

-gather materials and tools needed

-raise funds and plant donations for the event

If you would be willing to lend your time to help us with this, it would be greatly appreciated! Please call or email Kristen at 642-0318 or kristen@plazadistrict.org

Christen Humphries at Plaza District Gallery

We are thrilled to host artist Christen Humphries in the Plaza District office gallery tonight! Please stop by to view these incredible works, and learn more about the Plaza District Association!

Plaza District Gallery: 1618 Gatewood Ave, upstairs of Midwest Media & Marketing

A Glimpse

Humphries b. 1981

B.A. Cameron University, Lawton, Oklahoma 2003
M.F.A. Texas Woman’s University, Denton, Texas 2009

Working in the quietude of my studio/home, inspiration is but a few steps from the front door.  Encircled by open field as well as elm and mimosa trees, I am never far from the next idea for a painting.  Gathered leaves, acorns, grasses and wildflowers become subjects for paintings and their unique characteristics begin to emerge as I arrange them at my drafting table.  Each botanical is shaped by its environment wearing the expression of those conditions which enriches the narratives explored in my current body of work.  It is God who sets these processes in order, and I am simply a fellow worker with the Lord in bringing his beauty to the world throug my work.  While my calling is art my devotion is to the Creator not the creation and to Christ JesusLord and Savior.

At the moment I am working on a beautiful imitation vellum called pergamenata.  It has a subtle texture reminiscent of old parchment and has a luminous quality which is well suited to my style of work.  If I’m using watercolor, a delicate, dry-brush technique is required and the several layers of paint glow on the surface.  When working with oils the paper accepts the paint with ease and a similar brilliance is achieved.

LOVE on the Plaza Kiss Cam!

First, the prize package courtesy of Fowler Volkswagen….

-Dinner for Two at Ludivine

-Limo Service from the Spywagon

-Matching Valentine’s Tattoos from No Regrets Tattoo

-Plaza District Patron Membership (Invitation to Plaza members parties, Keep it Local Card, Plaza District tshirt, sticker and more!)

Tweet a picture of you and another smooching while you’re at LOVE on the Plaza, and immediately you are entered to win the prize package! Simply tweet @plazadistrict and @fowlerVW with #kisscam to enter!

Upload a photo to Facebook, and post to Plaza District and/or Fowler Volkswagen to enter on Facebook!

Example:

@plazadistrict @FowlerVW #kisscam! http://twitpic.com/3xb4lr

See you at #LOVEonthePlaza this Friday for kiss cam and photobooth in the SPYwagen!

LOVE on the Plaza! Feb 11th!

LOVE on the Plaza 2^nd Friday, February 11^th 7-11pm 1700 block NW 16^th

Quick Peek

LOVE on the Plaza Photobooth in SPYwagon– 8-10pm (outside DNA/Collected)

LOVE on the Plaza kiss cam (all night!)

Velvet Monkey Salon– Featured artist Nic Clemmons

Collected Thread– 8pm free film “An Island” by Efterklang and Vicent Moon.

DNA Galleries– featured artist Michael Walters

RetrOKC– Grand Opening

Everything Goes Dance Studio– Salsa Social 10pm, free salsa lessons starting at 9pm

Lyric Theatre– Always…Patsy Cline performance 7pm

Coffys Cafe– open mic

Convergence– ACM live music-

Plaza District Gallery– featured artist Christen Humphries

Warpaint Clothing– One Year Anniversary, Pretty Black Chains & Burning Hotels live music

1708– Wishing Well and free coffee by Cafe Evoke

Paula & Co Realtors– Lovers Ball

Open houses– No Regrets Tattoo, Chaparney, Curiouser & Curiouser

LIVE on the Plaza gets LOVE on the Plaza this February 11^th! Plaza District celebrates this over commercialized holiday with a local twist so be sure your Valentine’s Day weekend includes a stop on the walk of love. Come single, come with your lover or come with your friends to 16^th where romance abounds by way of local art and creative flavor.

The SPYwagen will be transformed into the LOVE on the Plaza photobooth from 8-10pm, so make sure you and your date (or friends and family) snuggle into the SPYwagen and capture the moment. Photos will be uploaded online for free online downloads, and prints available for sale. Special thanks to Rex Barrett Photography, Fowler Volkswagen and The SPY for the LOVE on the Plaza photobooth!

LOVE on the Plaza also wants you to show the love, so bring your camera and snap your own smooches for the LOVE on the Plaza Kiss Cam. Post pics on twitter to @plazadistrict and @FowlerVW, or to Plaza District’s facebook for your chance to win a prize courtesy of FowlerVW!

After all the snuggling in SPYwagen, be sure to stop in Velvet Monkey Salon for featured art by Nic Clemmons, and handmade jewelry by Estrella Evans. Next, visit Collected Thread and pick up special handmade Valentine Baskets and gifts for that special someone. Collected Thread will also be showing the film “An Island” by the bad Efterklang in the back at 8pm. Free film in the back of Collected Thread is definitely unique date!

Next door, DNA Galleries will host featured artist Michael Walters. DNA also has many handmade accessories, jewelry and art to make a perfect Valentine’s gift! Across the street we are excited to celebrate the Grand Opening of RetrOKC, a retail store specializing in mid-century, kitsch, vintage, retro and industrial decor. Stop in to welcome Mike Brown and RetrOKC to the Plaza District! Located in the Geraldine Studios down off Blackwelder Ave (yellow building).

While one business is opening, another is celebrating their first year! Warpaint Clothing has been bringing OKC and the Plaza District amazing clothing, and to celebrate, several things are lined up: Sales all month long in the month of February, Special one year anniversary shirts, A free show during LOVE On The Plaza with The Pretty Black Chains, as well as a special appearance by The Burning Hotels (from Ft. Worth). Stop in for all the greatness!

Next get your feet moving at Everything Goes Dance Studio for the Salsa Social! Free Salsa lessons at 9:30pm and the Salsa dance party starts at 10pm!Lyric Theatre continues the performance of “Always…Patsy Cline” during LOVE on the Plaza. Tickets to the Friday night performance are still available, an excellent Valentine’s Day date and chance to see this amazing show!

Coffy’s Café will host open mic night, Convergence will host live music by students from ACM, and Bad Granny’s will host live music by Barling at 8:30pm along with drinks and snacks for browsing through funky finds.

Flash Models, located in PhotoArt Studios will host “PARIS ON THE PLAZA” in conjunction with Fashion Week, Paris and in honor of Darin Moore, our recently departed Velvet Monkey family member. Come dressed as Parisian as you please and for those 21 & over, bring your favorite martini glass and shaker for lessons on exotic adult beverage recipes while viewing fashion week pictures and reports of fashion week from Keith Rinearson, who just returned.

The Plaza District office will host featured artist Christen Humphries. Humphries work presents delicate botanicals as subjects through watercolor, oil and dry brush techniques. Though her work is delicate, her presentation is contemporary and her paintings present these nests, leaves, acorns and branches as timeless subjects of nature’s work.

1708 and Café Evoke Catering will host Wishing Well: Water for the World, who partners with a number of well drilling organizations to bring clean water to those who have limited access. By empowering students around the nation to raise money for water projects, the students send Wishing Well the money they raise and it is used to fund a water project with a non-profit already in the field. LOVE on the Plaza includes those who are working to show love to those in need throughout the world.

Next door Paula & Co hosts Lover’s Ball for all the cheesy, old school prom goodness you can find. Balloon arch, 80s music, snacks and karaoke will abound! Stop in!