NORMAN — Giant rubber ducks, an Indian teepee, snow cones, arts activities and live music will all converge at the third Luncheon on the Grass on May 20.
The Fred Jones Jr. Museum of Art, Firehouse Art Center, Jacobson House Native Art Center and Norman Arts Council are teaming up to host the annual arts picnic 4-6:30 p.m. in Lions Park, 450 S. Flood Ave.
Last year’s event saw between 3 and 4,000 people, Fred Jones Jr. Museum of Art communication director Michael Bendure said, and the group of organizations hopes to have a similar outcome this year.
“The luncheon provides hands-on art activities for families, cultural presentations by the Jacobson House and free snow cones — mainly because they’re just fun!” he said. “The Luncheon on the Grass really is an opportunity for us to work together and also inform the community about what each of us are doing and what opportunities are available for Norman families.”
The event will include Native American flute music, storytelling and powwow singers and drummers, as well as a traditional teepee erected in the park for visitors, provided by the Jacobson House. Firehouse faculty will assist children in painting on the park’s Children’s Art Wall. DJ Nexus will provide musical entertainment and free snow cones throughout the event.
Erinn Gavaghan, Norman Arts Council executive director, said the afternoon is a fun, low-key opportunity for community members to learn about what Norman’s different arts organizations have to offer.
“People just come and hang out at the park. Throw Frisbees. Set up their picnic blanket. It’s just a leisurely afternoon on the grass,” she said.
As part of this year’s event, the Norman Public Arts Board is revealing two new pieces of public art: Two 4-foot fabricated fiberglass duck sculptures. The sculptures were designed by Firehouse Executive Director Douglas Shaw Elder and painted by local artists Chris McDaniel, Christian Pitt and Joshua Pitt.
The first 100 children to arrive with a completed duck coloring page (distributed in Norman Public School’s Thursday folders prior to the event) will receive a rubber duck, Shaw said.
From the submitted drawings, two names will be selected in a raffle to win maquettes of the original sculpture.
Though PAB hopes to eventually install the ducks in the approximately 25 children’s park in Norman, the first two ducks will be installed at the parks with splashpads — Andrews Park and Colonial Estates Park.
The luncheon will be followed by the Performing Arts Studio’s annual Summer Breeze Concert Series with a free, live performance by Grammy Award-winning Brave Combo at 7 p.m.
Ultimately, Jacobson House Executive Director Kricket Rhoads-Connywerdy, said the event is an invitation to the public to participate and engage in local arts opportunities.
“Come and visit each of those establishments. That’s the purpose of this so we can get people interested, not just in the Luncheon on the Grass, but to come visit all the different establishments and come see the different styles of artwork,” she said.
“Every single one of the establishments wants to cultivate a love of arts for everybody in the community so that’s our purpose — and not just painting but all styles of art.”
Photo cutline:
Norman families paint on the Children’s Art Wall in Lions Park at last year’s Luncheon on the Grass. The annual arts picnic is scheduled for Sunday, May 20, and includes a free concert by Grammy Award-winning Brave Combo.
Hannah Cruz 366-3533 hcruz@normantranscript.com
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