Arts Commission recommends 'howdy' mural by Nick Baer to City Council for Oklahoma City Convention Center

The Oklahoma City Arts Commission on Jan. 27 voted to recommend that the City Council approve howdy, a 17-by-20-foot mural by artist Nick Baer, for display in the main lobby of the Oklahoma City Convention Center at 100 McCornett Drive.

Project manager Leandro Lattimore, project manager for Arts and Cultural Affairs, told commissioners the mural will hang from a canvas banner and attach to three pre‑installed rigging points in the ceiling so the piece can be removed and stored when the convention center needs the space for other events. “The item I have before you today, will be a large mural, entitled howdy that will go inside the Oklahoma City Convention Center,” Lattimore said.

The commission’s recommendation followed the selection committee’s choice; Commissioner Nouser served on the selection committee, Lattimore said. Commissioners discussed the work briefly during the presentation; Commissioner Smiley commented on a design detail, saying, “Scissor tail flycatchers are such pretty birds that I wish some of the images were something other than the ends of their wings. I wish it had a whole bird there and not just what appears to be the back end of the bird.”

Commission members noted the banner format allows the city to display the work for visiting audiences and to store it for events that require the open lobby. The mural’s imagery incorporates Oklahoma visual elements including a Route 66 sign and regional flora and fauna, Lattimore said, as a way to provide visiting convention attendees with a glimpse of state culture.

Terry moved to recommend the mural to City Council and Deborah seconded; the motion passed. The commission’s action sends the recommendation to the City Council for its consideration.

Action details from the meeting: the commission also voted earlier in the session to receive the minutes of the Dec. 16, 2024, regularly scheduled meeting (motion moved and seconded; vote recorded as passed in the transcript but individual vote names were not specified).