Intro
StaffStaff
Julia Kirt
Executive Director
As Executive Director since 1999, Kirt has worked to create resources for rural, urban, emerging and experienced artists and transform Oklahoma’s valuation of artists. She was honored as the “Emerging Leader” by the Americans for the Arts in 2008 and participated in the 2009 Leadership Institute organized by the National Alliance for Media Arts and Culture funded by The Andy Warhol Foundation. Kirt completed an MA in Art History at the University of Oklahoma and earned a BA in Communication Studies from Macalester College in St. Paul, MN.
Contact For: 12x12 Art Show & Sale, Exhibitions, Art Studio Tour, Grants & Fellowships
Kelsey Karper
Associate Director
Karper came to the Oklahoma Visual Arts Coalition in 2006. As editor of OVAC’s bi-monthly publication Art Focus Oklahoma, she works to promote the art and artists of Oklahoma and to develop audience interest in the arts. Karper also organizes OVAC's Artist Survival Kit program, offering professional development for artists all over the state. She manages all marketing and public relations for the organization. Karper received her BFA in Photographic Arts from the University of Central Oklahoma in 2004 and continues her photographic work in historic and alternative processes.
Contact for: Art Focus Oklahoma, Artist Survival Kit, Media Inquiries
Sarah McElroy
Volunteer & Office Coordinator
McElroy comes to us from Edmond, Oklahoma where she completed her BFA of Graphic Arts. Her interest in non-profit organizations brought her to Oklahoma Visual Arts Coalition where she hopes to continue to learn more about the local arts community. Sarah is looking forward to working with all of the great members and volunteers at OVAC.
Contact for: Volunteer Info, Internships, General Inquiries
Stephanie Ruggles Winter
Program Assistant
Winter has served as Oklahoma Visual Arts Coalition’s Program Assistant since 2001. She has built the Virtual Gallery to include over 450 artists and manages the more than 1,000 OVAC memberships. Winter received her BFA in Graphic Arts from University of Central Oklahoma. She is a painter and mixed media artist.
Contact for: Membership, Virtual Gallery
Trent Lawson
Event Productions Coordinator
Trent Lawson graduated with a BFA in Studio Art from Oklahoma City University in 2002. Trent enjoys being an active part in the arts community by regularly volunteering for the Oklahoma City Arts Council, City Arts Center and Individual Artists of Oklahoma.
Julia Kirt
Executive Director
As Executive Director since 1999, Kirt has worked to create resources for rural, urban, emerging and experienced artists and transform Oklahoma’s valuation of artists. She was honored as the “Emerging Leader” by the Americans for the Arts in 2008 and participated in the 2009 Leadership Institute organized by the National Alliance for Media Arts and Culture funded by The Andy Warhol Foundation. Kirt completed an MA in Art History at the University of Oklahoma and earned a BA in Communication Studies from Macalester College in St. Paul, MN.
Contact For: 12x12 Art Show & Sale, Exhibitions, Art Studio Tour, Grants & Fellowships
Kelsey Karper
Associate Director
Karper came to the Oklahoma Visual Arts Coalition in 2006. As editor of OVAC’s bi-monthly publication Art Focus Oklahoma, she works to promote the art and artists of Oklahoma and to develop audience interest in the arts. Karper also organizes OVAC's Artist Survival Kit program, offering professional development for artists all over the state. She manages all marketing and public relations for the organization. Karper received her BFA in Photographic Arts from the University of Central Oklahoma in 2004 and continues her photographic work in historic and alternative processes.
Contact for: Art Focus Oklahoma, Artist Survival Kit, Media Inquiries
Sarah McElroy
Volunteer & Office Coordinator
McElroy comes to us from Edmond, Oklahoma where she completed her BFA of Graphic Arts. Her interest in non-profit organizations brought her to Oklahoma Visual Arts Coalition where she hopes to continue to learn more about the local arts community. Sarah is looking forward to working with all of the great members and volunteers at OVAC.
Contact for: Volunteer Info, Internships, General Inquiries
Stephanie Ruggles Winter
Program Assistant
Winter has served as Oklahoma Visual Arts Coalition’s Program Assistant since 2001. She has built the Virtual Gallery to include over 450 artists and manages the more than 1,000 OVAC memberships. Winter received her BFA in Graphic Arts from University of Central Oklahoma. She is a painter and mixed media artist.
Contact for: Membership, Virtual Gallery
Trent Lawson
Event Productions Coordinator
Trent Lawson graduated with a BFA in Studio Art from Oklahoma City University in 2002. Trent enjoys being an active part in the arts community by regularly volunteering for the Oklahoma City Arts Council, City Arts Center and Individual Artists of Oklahoma.
Interns:
Erin Kozakiewicz
Becki Warner
Shelby Woods
Staff Portraits by: Emma Ann Robertson