The Tulsa Community College Center for Creativity Event Hall, situated directly on historic Route 66, hosts numerous events throughout the year. One of the most exciting events is the annual Student Art Exhibition, where the best student artworks are displayed.
The 2026 Student Art Exhibition occurred at the end of April. Kelly Ann Temple, associate professor of jewelry and metalsmithing at the University of Central Oklahoma, was judging the student work this year. She received her master’s degree in fine arts at San Diego State University. Temple is a nationally and internationally recognized artist.
The TCC Student Art Exhibition astounds me with the immense talent and diverse artwork I discover each time I attend the exhibit.
This year, I was completely surprised by the “Best in Show” steel rod sculpture, “Note to Self,” painted with spray paint, by Bryanna Golden. The sculpture is at least a yard tall; it imitates a page from a notebook with lines and holes for a ring binder. “This Is Your Sign” black plywood letters are attached to the upper rod lines with tiny hooks. The sculpture invites viewers to reflect on their own lives and futures. Those empty rod lines could hold a million untold stories, plans, and tasks. It makes the artwork appealing to a wide audience.
The second juror’s choice was an acrylic on canvas “Exalted” portrait painting by Samuel McElroy. The painting is done in a realistic manner; it is full of details and subtle emotions. A viewer can admire a wise gaze, a silky and striped blouse, and a high, grayish hairdo of the middle-aged woman who is portrayed. We can see the woman’s profile with her head in the upper right corner. A bright yellow light from the projector fills the upper left corner, creating a deliberate contrast in the composition. The painting reveals that McElroy is a very skilled artist. His art can compete with famous masterpieces from the Renaissance era.
McElroy says that his first college degree was in history. So, he returned to TCC to obtain his second degree in art.
“This is my last semester at TCC,” McElroy adds. “After graduation, I may move to New York. I want to work in the field of art.”
“This summer, I plan to paint pets’ portraits,” he states.
The third juror’s choice was a collage “Transient” by Kaiten Kern. The artwork collaborates canvas with acrylic paint, armature wire, and relief print on paper. A hazy human’s image on purple canvas is covered with green paper leaves; red bloody drips are spread throughout the area. Kern emphasizes the temporality of existence. Her work pushes the audience to reflect on important subjects of life and death, which every human eventually faces.
I think the judge had a tough time selecting the winners because this year, there are other bright, interesting, and talented artworks presented by the TCC students.
For example, several portrait drawings and paintings attract viewers like magnets. These are “Good Morning/Good Night” by Sadie Smith, “The Contemporary Atlas” by Kaiten Kern, “Disoriented Portrait” by Annalise Ivey, “Everyman” by Isabel Torpor, “Work in Progress” by Brynna Golden, “Inner Strength” by Wynstan Phys, and “Uncomfortable Self-Portrait” by Kismet Stamps.
Among still-life paintings, “Made Manifest” by Samuel McElroy stood out. Once again, the artist’s realistic exactness impressed viewers.
Student sculptors displayed works expressing strong social protest. Angie Luna welded an iron cage and placed a sign inside it that read “No One Is Illegal on Stolen Land.” The message confronts the current government’s immigration policy. Wynstan Phys presented her cardboard, paper, Plasti Dip, and spray-paint sculpture “Eat the Rich.” The work resembles a fish wearing a black respirator and a white “aristocratic” collar. Phys said the sculpture was created with the purpose of discussing the subject of societal inequality.
As a contrast to the sad protesters, several students, who are River Beals, Hailee Galloway, Angie Luna, Julia Reeder, and Gracie Wright, came up with an idea to make a fun, moving, and inflatable sculpture, “Gumball Machine.” It is very tall, like a tower, but its verticality is supported by a blowing fan.
The students’ work is a very original artwork. I have not seen any inflatable and moving sculptures at any art exhibits before, except recently. The first one was “Silver Clouds” by Andy Warhol at the Philbrook Museum of Art in Tulsa. The “Gumball Machine” is the second one, and it is astonishing.
