Capture Oklahoma Message from Oklahoma City Foundation for Architecture Chairman Anthony Blatt, AIA  Today is a rush, tomorrow is a race ... and time continues to accelerate. While feverishly attending to today's task and anxiously pursuing tomorrow's goal, society becomes numb to the beauty present in our built surroundings. Fortunately, when constructed beauty is captured as a snapshot, the essence of our man made environment can be appreciated, and for a brief moment we can pause - time stands still. Through the eye and lens of an imaginative photographer, the overlooked becomes intriguing, the simple becomes elegant and the unknown becomes celebrated. Light/shadow, color/contrast, smooth/textured, repetition/isolation, powerful/delicate, focused/blurred, all and more, telling a story heard through our eyes and emotional to our cores. The structures that we pass daily, without a second thought, are allowed to capture our attention for an extended time. Unobserved infrastructure across our state is brought to the forefront. We are allowed to explore and see buildings, structures, fabrications and synthetic elements in a manner that could not have been imagined, save only for the heightened knowledge and awareness of each photographer. Each of the photographs become a still life, a moment when time stops, and man-made Oklahoma is captured. This Spring marks the 7th annual OKLAHOMANMADE Architectural Photography Competition and the opportunity to showcase, in still, our constructed environment in its natural state. All are welcome to participate and are encouraged to bring their own particular style, appreciation and unique approach in capturing Oklahoma, for all to enjoy. On behalf of the Board of the Oklahoma City Foundation for Architecture I would like to personally invite all interested to seek, pursue and photographically capture our state's shining man-made attributes and share them with us by entering the OKLAHOMANMADE 2016 Architectural Photography Competition. More information can be found on our website at www.okcarchitecture.com
|
OCFA Quarterly Tour set for January 23! Join us as we tour the Historic Tower Theater!
The Tour Tower Theater is on Saturday, January 23 at 9:00 a.m.
Cost: $10 OKC Foundation for Architecture Members / $15 Nonmembers
The Tower Theater 23rd Street entrance has a narrow facade, with an extemely long, shooting gallery style lobby which led into a large lobby located beneath a balcony.
Opened in 1937, the 1,500 seat, ornate auditorium had a complete working stage, pipe organ, and billowing, scarlet waterfall stage curtains. It underwent renovations in 1953 and in 1968. The Tower Theater closed in 1989.
THE TOWER'S 1ST GOLDEN ERA. A brief October 25, 1936, Oklahoman article  reported,
Plans are being rushed for the early start of the new Tower theater to be erected on Twenty-third street, just east of Walker avenue and it is hoped to have the auditorium ready for occupancy shortly after the Christmas holidays. The final draft of the architect's plans for this new and modern edifice calls for the latest in theater construction and convenience to patrons. It will be one of the largest of the neighborhood houses in this part of the country with both a lower floor and a balcony. While it didn't happen quite that quickly, by today's standards, it wasn't too far off the mark. A $35,000 building permit was granted by the city on March 1, 1937, and a July 4, 1937, Oklahoman article reported that the installation of the cooling system was nearing completion and that formal opening would occur in about 10 days. The article reported that seating was 1,200 and that the theater included special equipment for the hard of hearing. A parking lot north of the theater also provided for a north-side entrance, and smoking was permitted in the ventilated balcony. The article reported that, Charles E. Watson, Oklahoma City decorator, who went to California to survey the newer Hollywood houses has chosen futuristic design for the auditorium. The Tower was designed by W. Scott Dunne, Dallas architect.
|
OKLAHOMANMADE  Photography Competition
The OKLAHOMANMADE Photography Competition is taking place again this spring!
Entry form and fees are due February 26th and photographs are due March 11th.
|
Oklahoma City Foundation for Architecture Welcomes Kerry Azzarello to the Board
 Kerry Azzarello currently serves as the marketing manager for GSB, Inc. Architects & Planners where she is responsible for internal and external marketing and communication. She is a key part of the firm's business development team, overseeing proposal management and leading collegiate recruitment efforts. Additionally, she is involved with graphic design on project reports and promotional materials. Ms. Azzarello is an Associate member of the American Institute of Architects and is involved with the Okie Mod Squad, Preservation Oklahoma, Paseo Arts Association and the Oklahoma Visual Arts Coalition. She holds a BBA and MA from the University of Oklahoma.
Kerry joins the Oklahoma City Foundation for Architecture Board this month for a three year term.
|
 KIDesign 2016
Mark your calendars for our 2016 KIDesign program! Saturday, April 16th 10:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. Location to be announced Watch for more information!
|
