Oklahoma Arts Council, Federal and State Leaders Celebrate Route 66 Public Art in Wellston
An energized crowd of local residents, state leaders, arts supporters, media, and others gathered in Wellston on April 23 to dedicate a trio of public art installations commissioned through the Oklahoma Arts Council's Art in Public Places program. At the center of attention, a push pin sculpture, "You Are Here," is already garnering attention by Route 66 travelers and across social media.
"We want people to slow down, get off the highways and spend money in these small towns along Route 66," said Oklahoma Lieutenant Governor Matt Pinnell, who along with Federal Highway Administrator Sean McMaster, Oklahoma Secretary of Transportation Tim Gatz, and Oklahoma Turnpike Authority Executive Director Joe Echelle, joined the Oklahoma Arts Council to celebrate the public art and cut the ribbon on a new bridge on Turner Turnpike over Route 66.
"Along Route 66, a corridor so deeply woven and iconic of the American story, these works help anchor us to the history of Wellston, while also projecting vitality and possibility to all who pass through," said Sharples.
Oklahoma Arts Council Executive Director Amber Sharples explained the significance of the new works, the first of more than 10 in what will be a statewide Route 66 Public Art Trail.
In addition to "You Are Here" by Joseph O'Connell's Creative Machines, artworks included "Harvest and Highway" by Cliff Garten Studio and "Relics and Reed" by Helen Atkins and Will Guesz. The artworks were funded by the Oklahoma Department of Transportation.
