OSU Architecture Professor Exhibits “Shades and Shadows” at OSU Foundation Gallery
Malinda Berry Fischer Gallery to showcase John Womack’s paintings and drawings through March

Oklahoma State University (OSU) alumnus and professor John Womack will display an elaborate collection of watercolor paintings and drawings in his private exhibition entitled “Shades and Shadows” at the OSU Foundation January 4 – March 28 in Stillwater.

An opening reception for the exhibition will be held on Thurs., Jan. 24, from 5:30 – 7 p.m. in the Malinda Berry Fischer Gallery at the Foundation. 

The exhibition, open free to the public, will feature a variety of artistic styles and techniques by Womack, OSU associate professor of architecture and author of “Once Upon a Highway: Route 66 in Oklahoma.”
The Springdale, Ark. native’s artistic talent marries well with the architectural education he earned as an undergraduate at the University of Arkansas and a graduate student at OSU.

In his featured works, Womack highlights the relationship between light, shade and shadow in his paintings and drawings to create an implied abstraction.

“The theme throughout hearkens back to my architectural background,” Womack said. “I’m trying to find the extraordinary in the ordinary. I look at things you wouldn’t normally take notice of and interpret it into a composition that relies on shades and shadows to see surface, texture and shape where it begins to take on a new life.”

Inspiration for Womack’s works was taken from landscapes, sceneries and locations found throughout Oklahoma and Arkansas.

“People do love architecture if it has meaning,” Womack said. “The central theme is the creation of place and I think that’s what most art does; connects with our psyche to give us a sense of who we are and how that fits into our society, culture and civilization.”

Womack’s artistic talent has earned him “Best of Show” awards in 2005, 2006 and 2007 from the Oklahoma Watercolor Association and the “People’s Choice Award” in 2006. He has also been the recipient of the American Institute of Architects’ “Communicating Architecture” and “Architects as Artists” awards.

Named in honor of the Foundation’s former board chairman, the Malinda Berry Fischer Gallery showcases Oklahoma and OSU artists.  The gallery serves to strengthen the connection between Oklahoma State University and the OSU Foundation.  The gallery is open Monday through Friday 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. 

The Oklahoma State University Foundation serves as the private fundraising organization for OSU, as designated by the OSU Regents.  Its mission is to unite donor and university passions and priorities to achieve excellence.

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