In Oklahoma, for good or bad, people have always lived “at the mercy of the sky¹.” Through tornadoes to dust storms, torrential rain to blizzards, from our city’s very first moment of genesis in April 1889, Oklahoma City has been shaped by the will of the weather gods. As such, as a population, we are perpetually swayed by the sky’s power and, at OAK, eternally inspired by it. Art on our grounds embraces the theme with a sculpture series designed to pay homage to our red dirt and panoramic views.
Cloud Trees, Cloud Puncher, and Mighty Live Oak were dedicated to the Dobson Family during a heartfelt community celebration on September 18, 2024.
¹ Andrea DenHoed, The NewYorker, May 21, 2013
Sculptors Brad Oldham and Christy Coltrin believe that art cannot and should not be contained. Their studio, Brad Oldham Sculpture, brings this vision to life by producing work consisting primarily of placemaking installations that live in plain view of the general public, free from gallery and museum walls. Since 1999, they’ve created sculptures for communities, companies, and collectors across the U.S., earning praise from national arts organizations, media, and peers. The studio designed the sculpture collection at OAK to capture the hearts and minds of the property’s visitors and residents and to provoke thought as the pieces are encountered day after day.
Heartwood Park
cloud trees
Mirror-polished stainless steel, bronze, steel, and LED lighting
Cloud Trees features three internally lit bronze trunks that support a mirror-polished stainless steel cloud formation suspended above a community stage. In its center, an oval oculus offers an “eye to the skies” above Oklahoma City, entreating visitors to look up and observe their own reflected image juxtaposed against the kaleidoscopic Oklahoma view.
Heartwood Park
cloud puncher
Lost-wax cast bronze and mirror-polished stainless steel
A larger-than-life cowboy ropes an errant cumulus cloud to return it to its fluffy flock across the park in the Cloud Puncher. Designed to be in dialogue with the nearby Cloud Trees installation, this iconic piece keys in on the determination, grit, and rascally joy of OKC’s original settlers. Look closely to spy OAK’s multifaceted logo on the cowpoke’s belt buckle.
OAK Entrance
mighty live oak
Lost-wax cast bronze with hand-applied antique finish
Inspired by OAK’s bespoke visual identity and logo, the Mighty Live Oak vibrates with the power and promise of OKC’s newest chapter and references the live oak, long a symbol of safety, strength and resilience. Acorns adorn the 10-foot tall leaf, holding within them promise for the future.
Lively Hotel
VIEW THE BOOKunauthorized secret art society
Six small hidden lost-wax cast bronze and marble sculptures
Scattered throughout the Lively Hotel’s public spaces are a distinguished handful of clandestine figures. Look closely, and you may spy a mouse on a motorcycle, supportive scissortails, soaring birds and their escaped feathers, a nod to a Native sculptor, and our Cloud Puncher enjoying some well-earned rest.
2024 installation
the oak buzz
Open your inbox to us, and we’ll let you in on exclusive announcements, events, and other exciting happenings around the community.
