USAO is known for emphasizing the fields of science and art. Jordan Vinyard, dean of Visual and Performing Arts, associate professor of Art, and director of Art Wrecker Studio and Gallery, along with Dr. Rachel Jones, dean of Science and Physical Education and associate professor of Biology and Environmental Science, have taken this emphasis to the next level.

The duo has many collaborations in the works and many more ideas on the way. One of these collaborations is Inktober, which spans the entire month of October. Dr. Jones and Vinyard have been challenging not only artists, but anyone who wants to put a pen to paper. Vinyard has been pulling the names of artists, like Picasso while Dr. Jones has been pulling different natural organisms, such as the meadowlark bird. Once an artist and a natural organism has been drawn, anyone who wants to participate is welcome to sketch their take.

“This lovely collaboration between the two schools is trying to demonstrate that science and art can have fun together, and that there is sort of a natural place for the two fields to meet,” said Dr. Jones.

To make the collaboration even more interesting, Dr. Jones and Vinyard stated that they would get a semi-permanent version of the winner’s work for every $500 raised for their schools. The winners are picked by Dr. Jones and Vinyard, with Erin Lynch, Art Wrecker’s publicist, working as the tie breaker. The pieces are judged based off how well they fit the theme. The pair agreed that the works need to clearly show that it was inspired by the artist and the organism. The Inktober fundraiser has already reached the $500 mark, and Vinyard said they were marching towards the $1,000 mark. This means that Dr. Jones and Vinyard will be showing off week one’s winner very soon.

“We will have their ink inked on us,” Vinyard excitedly shared. “If anyone wants to see us with a little extra spice then we are encouraging them to donate to either school.”

The raised funds aide in the annual haunted house put on by Art Wrecker, different workshops within the two schools, collaborative projects such as a bio art class, and much more. Dr. Jones said that the money goes towards giving students a more immersive experience at USAO. Vinyard continued the thought by saying $500 makes a big difference within her school. It can provide a higher level of production and professionalism for the departments and students to achieve.

Inktober is not the only collaboration USAO and the community can expect from Dr. Jones and Vinyard. A nature photography contest was mentioned for the spring trimester. It would pair Art Wrecker and the Jean McLaughlin Outdoor Education and Research Center and allow people to contribute their original works of plants, animals, and landscapes.

Another upcoming collaboration between the two schools is the Un(SEEN), which is a juried art exhibition, and the Giles Symposium on Citizenship and Public Service, which is a biannual event. The symposium takes place March 3rd, 2023. The entire show will focus on underrepresented minorities within Oklahoma. New Yorker writer and bestselling author David Grann will speak alongside lawyer, author, and consultant Dr. Hannibal B. Johnson. Art Wrecker’s exhibition will emphasize performative and installation works.

“Art Wrecker is really unique and was designed to be able to handle that kind of work. There’s not a lot of spaces that can do that on the scale that we can,” said Vinyard.

The juried exhibit wants to give back to the community as a thank you for all of the support Art Wrecker and USAO students have received. Art Wrecker will be giving up to $5,000 away in cash awards to winning artists. Vinyard said that Art Wrecker has received a lot of support from the community which she said she has enjoyed immensely. She wants to help beautify the community and give people something to do through Art Wrecker and its numerous events and exhibits.

“It’s a collaboration not just between us, but between USAO and the larger community,” Dr. Jones said.

Art Wrecker has a busy calendar with upcoming events like the annual haunted house, another Tipsy Pottery event, USAO’s BFA exhibit, and a few more special events. Dr. Jones and Vinyard promised more science and art collaborations in the future.

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Gallery • 4 Photos

Cloe McLin & Joesph Flores

Week one's challenge was Frida Kahlo meets sage brush. The winners are Chloe McLin and Joesph Flores.

Emily Loughridge is a second-year Communication major at the University of Science and Art of Oklahoma.