Noah Norris takes a guitar lesson at Abbey Road Academy in Jenks on Friday. MATT BARNARD / Tulsa World
JENKS — Pieces are falling
into place for the Jenks Arts
District.
The city’s advisory Arts
District Council, which falls
under the Jenks Chamber
of Commerce Community
Foundation, met for the first
time last month, and the Jenks
City Council recently approved
moving forward with
plans for an “incubator” that
will provide gallery and work
space for resident artists.
“This is the beginning stages
of all the pieces coming together,”
said Jennifer Harper,
vice chairwoman of the arts
council.
The incubator, expected
to be ready next fall, will be
located in a remodeled Public
Works Authority building
that currently houses animals
for the Oklahoma Aquarium.
Those animals will be moved
to the aquarium site.
Harper said the incubator
will help foster local artists.
The building, 117 S. First St.,
will have space to house four
to eight working artists at a
time.
“With the untapped resources
we have here, there
is opportunity to illuminate
people’s talents,” she said.
The arts district would
be centered on Main Street,
Harper said.
Partnerships have been
formed with Jenks Public
Schools, Riverwalk and Village
on Main, with plans to
host events like drama festivals
showcasing the city’s
students, and “Films in the
Park” screenings.
Bonnie Wright, a spokeswoman
for the school district,
said the district is excited
about the partnership.
“This partnership with the
city of Jenks is a great opportunity
for the district to share
the great talent of our students
and staff,” Wright said.
Main Street merchants are
also excited to see the arts
district taking shape.
Sherry Bonner, owner of
The Pink Lily and a member
of the arts council, said, “This
is great progress for downtown,
to move forward in this
direction.”
The Pink Lily sells a mix of
modern and antique items.
Downtown Jenks has long
been known for its focus on
antiques.
“I think the antiques and
the arts work well together,”
she said.
Heather Turner, who owns
and runs Abbey Road Academy,
is also happy with the
progress of the arts district.
“We are a fine-arts company,
so of course it’s in our best
interest,” said Turner, whose
business offers music lessons.
She expects the development
of the district to bring
new businesses and opportunities
to the area, and says
this will increase walk-in
traffic for merchants.
Nick DeMoss, communications
director for the Jenks
Chamber and chairman of
the Arts Council, said seeing
the momentum for the arts
district is exciting.
“A vibrant arts district can
attract a young, innovative
workforce and will enhance
the general quality of life for
Jenks,” DeMoss said.
Harper said what’s happening
in Jenks complements
the development of the
downtown districts in Tulsa
and Broken Arrow.
“This is good for the region,”
she said.
Nour Habib 918-581-8369
nour.habib@tulsaworld.com
Jenks
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