The first annual Fowler Arts Education Award will be presented to the
Firehouse Art Center and executive director Douglas Shaw Elder during
the Norman Arts Council’s ONE fundraiser on Saturday, March 31.
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Fowler Volkswagen sponsors the Fowler Arts Education Award, which
aims to recognize those who improve children’s art education
opportunities in Norman in an extraordinary way. The jurors for this
award included Richard Taylor, Dean of the Weitzenhoffer Family College
of Fine Arts; Chuck Thompson, President of Republic Bank and Trust; and
Susan Owen Atkinson, Urban Planner for the City of Norman. The jurors
made their decision unanimously in early February.
“Douglas and the Firehouse go hand-in-hand; it so appropriate they
are being recognized for their leadership in this way,” said Lauren
Sonder, NAC education committee chair.
Fowler Volkswagen commissioned artist Scott Henderson to create a
mural portrait featuring the Firehouse Art Center and Elder. The
portrait will be painted on the south side of the Fowler Volkswagen
building located at 591 N. Interstate Drive as part of a continuous
mural devoted to outstanding arts education leaders in Norman.
Jonathan Fowler, general manager for Fowler Volkswagen, said new winners will be added to the mural each year.
“This mural will be a continuous thumbs up to educators who are
making a tremendous impact on our community and an advertisement to the
thousands of people who drive by every day that Norman is an incredible
place to work, live, raise a family and enjoy the arts,” Fowler said.
Elder has been part of the fine arts community for the majority of
his life. He earned his B.F.A. in drawing at Missouri State University
and Post-Baccalaureate in painting at Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine
Arts. He received his M.F.A at Boston University, where he taught, and
then continued at the University of Oklahoma before joining the
Firehouse Art Center in January 2007.
Firehouse Art Center, located at 444 South Flood Avenue, contributes
to arts education by improving the quality of educational experiences
for children’s classes. Elder started the “Creating with the Masters”
series. The series uses master artworks to provide a thorough
explanation on topics relating to the history of artworks, artists,
museums, and artistic techniques. Elder has also organized Firehouse Art
Center’s partnership with Fred Jones Jr. Museum of Art and Sam Noble
Natural History Museum. The partnerships give children the opportunity
to visit and be exposed to great works of art.
Elder has also initiated a set of art programs and projects in
elementary schools. He introduced weekly art instructions designed in
conjunction with schools’ curriculum. Schools such as Jefferson
Elementary School and Monroe Elementary School have worked with
Firehouse Art Center to improve their art programs.
Elder’s contributions to art education are not limited to elementary
schools. He encourages other organizations to participate in the
promotion of art and education. Under his direction, Firehouse faculties
provides art education for the United Way’s Success by Six program, the
KinderCare centers, the Center for Children and Families (CCFT) summer
and after school programs, Boy Scouts troops and classes at the Norman
Public Library. Elder inspired the “Green Wave,” a project that involves
school children, teachers, artists and also, the mayor of Norman. Under
his leadership, Firehouse Art Center received an award as a finalist in
the statewide Keep Oklahoma Beautiful Contest.
As the executive director of Firehouse Art Center, Elder has expanded
activities at the two established Firehouse Art Center events: the
annual Chocolate Festival fundraiser and the Midsummer Nights’ Fair in
Lions Park. As a member of the 2011 Creativity Forum Committee, Elder
presented an interactive creative sculpture activity and created a
mobile sculpture. This activity was co-sponsored by Red Dot Sculpture
and was displayed at the entrance of the forum.
Elder is not only an administrator for his organization, but also a
talented artist. He has a private studio where he spends most of his
time working on sculptures. He is in the process of modeling a giant
Rubber Duck sculpture that will be part of the Norman Public Arts
Board’s Park Sculpture Project.
“The NAC is so appreciative to Fowler Volkswagen for sponsoring this
exciting award,” said NAC executive director Erinn Gavaghn. “We are
looking forward to the next few years of the award as there are so many
individuals and organizations in our community that really go above and
beyond for children’s arts education.”
For more information on the Fowler Arts Education Award or the ONE
Event, please contact the Norman Arts Council at 405-360-1162 or by
visiting www.normanarts.org.
Calling all Volkswagen owners! We’re opening up our shop for a
do-it-yourself open house on April 7th! During our “DIY Your Dub” event,
VW owners are invited to bring their cars to our service department and
work on them using our tools and equipment.
