OKLAHOMA CITY (December 4, 2024) – Introduced in 2020, the Official Brand of the State of Oklahoma, and the logo that is the brand’s most recognizable element, have brought a cohesive, uplifting image to the services provided by state government. Organized by the Oklahoma Arts Council, a special exhibition on display at the State Capitol showcases the state’s official brand in a new light, through interpretations by Oklahoma artists who have incorporated the brand in designs of quilts, ribbon work, beaded necklaces, and more. Titled, “Imagining Oklahoma: Artists’ Perspectives Inspired by the New State Brand,” the exhibition will be on display on the Capitol’s first floor next to the Lieutenant Governor’s offices through 2026.
Among the works on display in the exhibition is a quilt designed and crafted by Dianna LeClair of Bixby in collaboration with Roberta Jorgensen and Lori Gracey Oldham of Broken Arrow. Centered in the quilt, which measures 70 inches by 59 inches, is the state logo surrounded by an array of triangular and geometric colors reminiscent of the chevrons prominent in the logo. On the back of the quilt is a waving wheat motif design created by Jorgensen. Oldham finished the quilt by piecing together the individual parts.
A ribbon skirt runner created by Cherokee National Treasure Lisa Rutherford of Tahlequah is also on display. For the piece, Rutherford specifically sourced the mix of ribbons comprising the final assembled piece to match the varied colors of the state brand. The ribbon was commissioned for use in the dedication ceremony of a state-brand themed mural created at the Tulsa International Airport in 2021.
A third object displayed is a beaded collar necklace created by Sarah Adams of the Choctaw Nation. Incorporating the state brand colors, the necklace is representative of the style worn as Choctaw regalia, created through equal parts weaving and beading. The necklace was as part of the dedication ceremony for a state-brand themed mural commissioned at Will Rogers World Airport in Oklahoma City in 2022.
Beyond highlighting the state brand, the art objects featured in “Imagining Oklahoma” can enrich viewers’ understanding of the history, traditions, and lifeways of the people of the state. Viewers will learn about the practical and communal aspects of the quilting circle; discover the symbolism and storytelling aspects of the evolution of the ribbon skirt; and read about the labor-intensive work and skilled process required in crafting beads.
State-Brand Themed Airport Murals Highlighted
In addition to the objects on display, the state brand exhibition highlights a series murals created in recent years at four Oklahoma airports. Designed by Oklahoma artists and commissioned through a partnership led by the Oklahoma Arts Council with the Office of Lieutenant Governor Matt Pinnell and the Oklahoma Department of Commerce, airport murals in Tulsa, Oklahoma City, Lawton, and Stillwater provide a vibrant, energetic welcome to Oklahoma for returning residents and out-of-state visitors, with each mural reflecting the landscape, history, and culture of the area of the state served by the airport. The Capitol exhibition features information and images of the four airport murals.
For more information about the exhibition, contact Curator of Capitol Exhibitions Erin Latham at erin.latham@arts.ok.gov.
About the Official Brand of the State of Oklahoma
Unveiled in 2020, the Official Brand of the State of Oklahoma was the result of months of work performed by a consortium of Oklahoma creative professionals with backgrounds in design, marketing, advertising, and public relations—serving as a volunteer committee called “OklaX.” In creating a brand strategy, developing visual and verbal identities, and establishing related guidelines, the team divided into working committees based on their areas of expertise. Team leaders collaborated to create a cohesive package. The design was finalized by international branding firm Operative Brand Consulting. The resulting brand centered on creating an iconic logo and brand language built on the uplifting ideals that define Oklahoma.
The logo design is based on shapes and colors embedded in Oklahoma history. The form is inspired by the state’s Native heritage, reflecting earth, sky, water, agriculture, and forest. The star, a symbol of America with Oklahoma at the center, is part of the state seal and original state flag. The chevrons acknowledge the military’s role and prominence in our state.
Since being introduced, the brand has been adopted widely by state agencies, with the logo prominently and increasingly displayed across state agency websites and on social media. It is also noticeable on state signage along highways, on state-owned buildings, and with state-related projects in communities statewide.
