BOK Center and PSO partner on new art
Like a steady drum beat, there's momentum building in Tulsa as the city is quickly becoming the next great music destination. Nowhere else can someone see the stage that Bob Wills made famous or the actual notebooks and papers that Oklahoma-native Woody Guthrie used to write some of his most iconic songs. It's the rich local music history and the thriving music scene that continue to put Tulsa on the map as one of the nation's top destinations for live entertainment and music.
Tulsa isn't the next Nashville or the next Austin - Tulsa is simply it's own thing. BOK Center has done its due diligence to tout Tulsa as it's own music destination by bringing in iconic musicians, several of whom chose to play Tulsa over bigger markets. In order to give these artists a quick feel for the music history of the city when pulling into town, a new mural installation by Clean Hands Army on an old wall on 1st Street between Denver and Cheyenne was commissioned by a partnership between BOK Center and Public Service Company of Oklahoma (PSO).
Clean Hands Army is a local based mural crew and design team that specialize in graffiti-style murals. Owner and artist Aaron Whisner mixes elements of Tulsa's pioneering spirit and culture with a do-it-yourself industrial edge and he also works with local artists interested in contributing their designs. Most recent work includes murals for the Oklahoma City Thunder, Tulsa Office of Film, Music, Arts & Culture and a tribute to Bob Wills.
“We wanted to find a way to make the drive into BOK Center more welcoming and we knew Clean Hands Army was the perfect fit for the job,” said BOK Center Assistant General Manager Casey Sparks. "Most of the artists and tour crews that come here don't get to see anything outside of the walls of the venue. This is the perfect way to show them the vibe of Tulsa in one quick snapshot."
The mural pays homage to Tulsa and celebrates how the city has emerged as one of the nation's top destinations for live entertainment and music. The mural includes images of the iconic Golden Driller, Route 66 logo, a guitar and the Tulsa skyline. Words included on the mural are legendary, vibe, local, scene, live, T-Town, Modwest District and #rocktheBOK.
“Public Service Company of Oklahoma is pleased to partner with BOK Center on this urban mural that highlights the rich musical history and tradition of Tulsa, which has been our headquarter city for more than 100 years. BOK Center is helping to bring a new and positive energy to the Tulsa metro area and we are proud to be a part of their efforts.” said Shawn Robinson, Managing Director, AEP Transmission Field Services – West.
