Public art installed at NBC Oklahoma's north Altus branch
PRESS RELEASE Nov. 9, 2017
ALTUS – NBC Oklahoma added a new public art piece to the Altus community this week, when an Oklahoma City artist installed a new outdoor sculpture series outside the bank’s north Altus location at 101 Sequoyah.
The sculpture series, called “Strengthening the Voids” by artist Joe Slack, consists of five separate pieces made of powder-coated steel and painted in green hues for the bank.
NBC commissioned the work as part of Chairman Ken Fergeson’s ongoing commitment to supporting public art and Oklahoma artists.
“I’ve always loved public art, which is free for anyone to enjoy and serves as a landmark for a community,” Fergeson said. “Such art gives a place an identity and residents a sense of pride.”
Previously, NBC has commissioned and financed two life-sized monuments in Altus, both by Western artist and Oklahoma native Harold T. Holden – “Vision Seeker,” located in the southwest corner of the Altus City Park, and “Crossing the Red” on Jackson County Courthouse grounds. (A second casting of “Vision Seeker” is located at Enid High School.) Other public art projects that NBC Oklahoma has commissioned and/or provided financing for include Holden’s sculptures “Boomer” in downtown Enid, “The Ranger” at Northwestern Oklahoma State University in Alva and Enid, “Broncho” at the University of Central Oklahoma in Edmond and “The Bison Spirit” at Oklahoma Baptist University in Shawnee; and a Cub Scout sculpture in front of NBC’s Nichols Hills location at 2800 NW Grand Blvd.
Slack, the creator for the new Altus sculptures, said that his work is a continuation of a series that started with works like “The Voids and Finding Who” at Infant Crisis Services Center in Oklahoma City.
To explain the name “Strengthening the Voids,” Slack said the newest sculptures feature holes which he calls “voids” that represent the challenges and situations of life, and they are joined by rods – the supports people receive in life that help fill the voids, connect them and make them stronger.
“It’s a mix of my old work and a mix of my new work,” Slack said.
While checking out this new outdoor artwork, don’t miss the current art exhibit at the bank’s Wigwam Art Gallery, 121 W Commerce, next to the NBC Oklahoma’s downtown Altus location. Call (580) 477-1100.
FOR MEDIA REQUESTS: Contact Lillie-Beth Brinkman, NBC Oklahoma Communications Director, at lbrinkman@nbcok.com, 405-748-9182 (office) or 405-203-1449 (cell).
About NBC Oklahoma
NBC Oklahoma is a $650 million state bank with eight locations across Oklahoma. It is an Oklahoma-owned bank. Member FDIC. Website: nbc.bank.
About Wigwam Art Gallery About five years ago, NBC Oklahoma built the Wigwam Art Gallery to resemble the 1920s-era Wigwam Movie Theater that was once located there. A vision of NBC Chairman Ken Fergeson, the art gallery is used to promote Oklahoma artists and art and to host events for some nonprofit institutions. The Wigwam Gallery is located next to NBC Oklahoma downtown on the corner of Commerce and Hudson. For information about the gallery, current exhibits or NBC Oklahoma’s art, contact Elizabeth Marcha at 580-481-3136 or emarcha@nbcok.com.
About Joe Slack
Artist Joe Slack in his Oklahoma City studio
Joe Slack is an Oklahoma City visual artist who primarily works in sculpture using materials such as metal and wood. His public works include, in Oklahoma City, a commission of nine sculptures installed at the Southern Oaks Library; a 10-piece commission at the Infant Crisis Services Center; “Intestinal Fortitude” installed at “Earlywine Park” and “Who in Motion” in Classen Circle at Northwest Expressway and Classen; and in Edmond, “Voids and Foliage No. 2” at 3rd and Broadway, “Voids and Foliage” and “Cloned Cube” in the median on Boulevard and “Substance” along the Kelly median; He earned a bachelor’s degree in studio fine arts from Oklahoma City University in 2001. For information about his art, go to http://www.joeslack.com
