Bert Seabourn’s work on exhibit

Purcell native Bert Seabourn is being honored at the ArtNow 2021 art exhibit in Oklahoma City.

Seabourn, a 1950 graduate of Purcell High School, is the featured artist in the exhibit at the Oklahoma Contemporary Museum.

The exhibit opened July 29 and continues through mid-September.

Seabourn’s artwork was used on the invitation for the fund-raising opening, the museum’s website about the exhibit and on the show catalogue.

Visiting the exhibit is free but persons must reserve a spot on the museum’s website. It is open to the public from July 30 through September 13.

Organized by Guest Curator Helen Opper, ArtNow 2021 presents a dynamic group of Oklahoma-based artists whose works respond to the complexities of contemporary culture, reflecting the vibrant diversity of contemporary art in the Sooner state.

This year’s ArtNow represents the first iteration of the biennial model, an approach to better showcase the new works of selected artists with active studio practices in Oklahoma.

For people wanting to purchase art they need to contact the artist. The museum is not selling paintings.

Marking this inaugural edition is a special exhibition, the official said.

“We will be displaying a number of Seabourn’s works in recognition of his contribution to the cultural landscape of the state.

“Seabourn’s works are in national and international collections,” Opper said.

Seabourn has been honored as a recipient of the Governor’s Arts Award from the Oklahoma Arts Council and has an honorary Doctorate of Humane Letter from his Alma Mater, Oklahoma City University.

“Besides his dedication to art, Seabourn has fostered comradeship in the arts in Oklahoma and has committed his time and talent to teaching at Oklahoma Contemporary for many years,”  Opper said.

Seabourn’s wife, Bonnie, is the sister of Joe Dale Tompkins and sister-in-law to Tracy Tompkins of Purcell.

The Seabourns celebrated their 71st wedding anniversary July 30. Bonnie is a 1951 graduate of Purcell High School. Bert celebrated his 90th birthday earlier in July.