'Art Explosion' Planned For Saturday In Dewey

The town of Dewey is having an Art Explosion Saturday, June 20, thanks to the efforts of some community-minded artists. The Heritage Theatre will hold the day-long celebration to introduce its community arts programs, according to organizer and theater director Giz Robison.

The theater - which is located inside the Dewey Community Center at 306 East Don Tyler - is a new venue for established artists, and hopefully a place that can help others find the artist within.

"I feel art's important to the community," Robison said. "It gives us a healthy, creative way to express ourselves. Many people don't think they have talent, but they do."

Starting at noon Saturday, there will be arts and crafts on display throughout the town, mainly centered in the downtown area.

Starting at 6 p.m., there will be a catfish fry and several different kinds of performances at the theater. There will be storytelling, musical performances and some original skits by Kevin Mnich, Heritage Theatre creative director, and Caleb Rummel.

Joe Sears of the Bartlesville Theatre and Great Tuna fame will display artworks. Barkley the Oklahoma Chihuahua will make a special appearance at the event, showing off her own painting skills, according to owner and Bartlesville-area photographer Becky Sewell Burch Slack.

Robison said many community members have been recruited to perform.

"It's a fundraising event that will be a lot of fun, and it will raise money for the community arts program," Robison said.

Robison said in larger cities, kids have more access to the arts, and she feels the young people and adults around the Dewey area will benefit from a homegrown venue where they can explore painting, sculpting, photography and more.

They also plan to teach stage design, lighting, sound and writing in addition to performance.

Tickets to the evening performances and dinner are $25. They're available at the Ahava Cafe in the Dewey Community Center or by calling 918-440-2393. The event is sponsored by the Washington County Historical Society.

Support community arts in Dewey at the Heritage Theatre GoFundMe page.