Tulsa Arts Center Finds Home in Old Warehouse

When new development in the Brady district forced the Living Arts of Tulsa, a contemporary art center, to move in December, supporters were frustrated. It seemed the artists who'd helped breathe life

Wednesday, March 8th 2000, 12:00 am

By: News On 6

When new development in the Brady district forced the Living Arts of Tulsa, a contemporary art center, to move in December, supporters were frustrated. It seemed the artists who'd helped breathe life into the older downtown neighborhood were now out on the street. However, they weren't homeless for long.

The contemporary art center just moved into an old warehouse at 5th and Kenosha... where they found more room to stretch. "I feel it's been a great boost for Living Arts," said director Steve Liggett. "We've expanded three times. Whenever you have more space, you can always do more things, and so we plan to do a lot more here."

Living Arts opened its new home with an exhibition of paintings by Booker T. Washington art teacher Linda Stilley. Liggett says the larger 6,000 square foot space provides room for studios for artists. The center also has enough room for an education and media center. "Hopefully we'll put together a public access area for people to come in and they can edit their own tapes." Liggett said. "We hoping to have as many as ten editing stations."

Living Arts's neighbors include three photographers who find the older warehouses in the area ideal for their work. Photographer Don Wheeler is renovating this building that was once home to the Ethyl Gasoline Company. Wheeler says the area has a great feel that many people are looking for. "When people come here, they think of a New York loft," he said. "Then they look around and say 'this is what we've been looking for years to try and buy. You know, we could do anything in here. We could make it our own little environment.'"

Wheeler is excited to see Living Arts move in, and hopes to host some events with the gallery. Liggett calls the area "another pioneering part of Tulsa" that most people don't know about, but hopefully soon will. "I think it's going to be another hot spot for Tulsa," he said. "And we'll make it that way."

Brady district developer David Sharp, who provided space for Living Arts' former home, also offered the Kenosha Warehouse to the gallery. Liggett says Living Arts still hopes to find its own permanent home.