University of

Central Oklahoma

Galleries and Collections

Galleries and Collections

The University of Central Oklahoma’s College of Fine Arts and Design boasts several venues where students can either display their own work or experience the work of nationally and internationally renowned artists. Headed by our Director of Galleries and Collections, Zina Gelona, each space offers its own unique educational and cultural experience through its variety of exhibits. For more information, email Ms. Gelona at zgelona@uco.edu or call (405) 974-2432.

Donna Nigh Gallery, 4th Floor, Nigh University Center
Donna Nigh Gallery Exhibit Hall, 3rd Floor, Nigh University Center
Design Gallery, Art and Design Building
Evans Hall Interior Design Gallery

Our Collections include:

Archives Photography Collection
African Art Collection
The Bob Burke Collection
Mather Work Incentive Poster Collection
Melton Legacy Collection
The Silver Screen Collection
TC Cannon Collection
The Thatcher Collection
The Will Rogers Room Collection

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Zina Gelona, Director of Galleries and Collections

A graduate of UCO’s art program, Ms. Gelona oversees the College of Fine Arts and Design's many exhibit spaces, including the Donna Nigh Gallery. She is also an Oklahoma artist who enjoys many avenues of visual imagery. A native of Louisville, Kentucky, she loves photography and watercolor.

TC Cannon Gallery

T.C. CANNON (CADDO/KIOWA/CHOCTAW)

T. C. Cannon (Caddo/Kiowa/Choctaw) died young and left behind a beautiful, powerful oeuvre. He was born in 1946 in Lawton, Oklahoma, and died as a result of an automobile accident in Santa Fe in 1978. He had attended the Institute of American Indian Arts in Santa Fe, studying with Fritz Scholder. He seemed somewhat bitter and distrustful of authority. One of his teachers suggested to T. C. Cannon that they get in two rocking chairs facing each other and rock and frown until all the aggression was gone. He was away from home for the first time, so perhaps his quiet and reflective nature was misread as bitterness.

T. C. Cannon has mischievousness in his work. He treated the Indian subject in brightly arrayed costuming as a “dandy.” He portrayed the Indian of a distant past, but placed him in today’s world. His people were always dressed to be beautiful.

Mather Work Incentive Poster Collection

"Made in America: The Mather Work Incentive Posters, an exhibition of striking and unique American posters from the Roaring Twenties. Printed in Chicago between 1923 and 1929, the posters were designed to improve worker productivity and curb turnover during a time of economic expansion and plentiful jobs.  The traditional American virtues the posters promote are as relevant today as they were 80 years ago and represent a unique chapter in American advertising and economic history.

While the posters can be seen as workplace propaganda or camp Americana, they are perhaps most interestingly viewed as a visual expression of the idealism and optimism of the rising nation. President Calvin Coolidge pithily summed up in two sentences the ideology of the era in his 1925 speech to the Society of American Newspaper Editors: 'The chief business of the American people is business...The chief ideal of the American people is idealism.'" 

Archives Photography Collection

The College of Fine Arts and Design , in partnership with the Special Archives/Max Chambers Library, are developing a series of photography collections. The first series, "The Old North Collection," is a collection of photographs depicting Old North in the late 19th century and early 20th century. The second series showcase sports programs around the turn of the century.

Larry Hefner, Design Department, and Zina Gelona, Director of Galleries and Collections, selected eleven photographs from the Archives Glass Plate Collection. Mr. Hefner digitalized the photographs, reproduced them in larger format, matted and framed them. Annette Ryan, Archives and Special Collections, and Nicole Willard, Archives and Special Collections, were instrumental in developing this collection. The interesting detail in these fine prints portrays life on campus at the turn of the century.

The Will Rogers Room Collection

The Will Rogers Room Collection is located on the Nigh University Center on the fourth floor. On display are items from the family of Will Rogers, including one of his trademark lassos. Photography and paintings are on view depicting Oklahoma's beloved son.

The Thatcher Gallery

The Thatcher Hall Gallery is the newest gallery area, in partnership with the Library's Archive Collection, and is a group of archival, sepia-toned photographs celebrating the Centennial honoring UCO's first teachers. A photograph of the first UCO teacher and her contract are on display.

The Silver Screen Gallery

The Silver Screen Collection is featured in the Mitchell Hall Lobby and is a collection of autographed black and white photography featuring stage and screen stars. The Collection is graciously donated by Mr. and Mrs. Edwin Nall.

The Silver Screen Collection Contact Information
Zina Gelona
(405) 974-2432
zgelona@uco.edu

Melton Legacy Collection

Donated to the College of Fine Arts and Design in 2002, the Melton Legacy Collection contains more than 60 paintings and drawings which present an impressive survey of the last 500 years of European and American art. Some of the collection's earliest works offer examples from the 16th century Spanish and Flemish schools of El Greco and Peter Paul Reuben. Its centerpiece is an oil painting by Thomas Moran from his famous Venice series, "Venice at Sunset."

Under Renovation - due to open Fall 2012

Please call 405-974-2432 for more information.

Evans Hall Interior Design Gallery

The Evans Hall Interior Design Gallery is located in the basement of Evan's Hall. It features works from our interior design students on a rotating basis.

Donna Nigh Gallery Exhibit Hall

The Donna Nigh Gallery Exhibit Hall showcases photography exhibits. On view recently was the Special Collections/Archives in partnership with the College of Fine Arts and Design photographic collections depicting campus life in the early 1900s. This gallery also showcases photographic group study tours.

Donna Nigh Gallery Exhibit Hall Contact Information
Zina Gelona
(405) 974-2432
zgelona@uco.edu

Donna Nigh Gallery

The Donna Nigh Gallery, located on the fourth floor of the Nigh University Center, showcases graduate students, faculty and regionally and nationally know professional artists. With an array of revolving exhibits throughout the year, one can experience a variety of artistic media. Because of her dedication and commitment to the field of visual arts, the gallery for Mrs. Donna Nigh, wife of former Oklahoma governor and former UCO president, George Nigh.

The Donna Nigh Gallery Contact Information
Zina Gelona
(405) 974-2432
zgelona@uco.edu

Design Gallery

The Design Gallery is host to unique exhibits which highlight the artistry of design. Cutting edge presentation in graphic design by students, faculty and professional alike are on view monthly. Sponsored by Citizen's Bank, this gallery is located in front of the Department of Design office.

Design Gallery Contact Information
Larry Hefner
(405) 974-5200
lhefner@uco.edu

The Bob Burke Collection

The Bob Burke Collection was graciously donated by Bob Burke, attorney. The Collection showcases Oklahomans in sports, stage and screen, aviation and government. The Collection has many autographed letters and photographs including Will Rogers, Reba McIntire and Mickey Mantle and is located at the end of the third floor in the Nigh University Center.

The Bob Burke Collection Contact Information
Zina Gelona
zgelona@uco.edu
(405) 974-2432

African Art Collection

The African Art Collection, including the Tennison Collection, is on display on the 2nd and 3rd floors of the Chamber's Library. These art objects from Western Africa, Nigeria and Central Africa represent a few of the hundreds of cultures on the continent of Africa.

Objects dating from as early as the 1st century, BCE through the 20th century show the range of ideas and rituals of these cultures. Pieces on loan from the Kirkpatrick Center Affiliated Fund and Perry and Angela Tennison have been added to the University's collection to form one of the most comprehensive exhibits of African art in this region of the country.

African Collection Contact Information
Dr. William Hommel
(405) 974-5789
bhommel@uco.edu