Capitol State Art Collection Gallery Renamed in Honor of Betty Price

The Oklahoma House of representatives Public Relations Office reports that

The Oklahoma Legislature voted today to rename the art gallery that houses the Oklahoma State Art Collection in the State Capitol as the Betty Price Gallery.

House Concurrent Resolution 1084, by state Rep. Dale DeWitt (R-Braman) and state Sen. David Myers (R-Ponca City), changes the gallery name to honor Price. The measure was approved by both the Oklahoma House of Representatives and the
state Senate today.

Price served as Executive Director of the Oklahoma Arts Council from 1983 to 2007. As an advisor to the State Capitol Preservation Commission, Price was a guiding force in the commissioning and dedication of public art at the State Capitol. Price directed the commissions of major murals, portraits and sculptures in the public areas of the Capitol and was an advisor for the Capitol dome.

The Oklahoma State Art Collection Gallery opened on November 17, 2007 and features more than 100 works of art by artists with Oklahoma connections. Established by the Oklahoma Arts Council in January 1971, the Oklahoma State Art Collection was created to collect and preserve the work of Oklahoma artists.

Price said she was overwhelmed by the honor bestowed on her by the Oklahoma Legislature. "Thank you for the privilege and honor of serving and for the support, counsel and friendship you've shown me these past 33 years. This is the absolute highest honor I've ever received. What an incredible opportunity I've had to get to know the energetic and engaged people of Oklahoma who care about their communities and are making the arts happen across the state."

A member of the Oklahoma Women's Hall of Fame, Price was honored as the 2006 Red Earth Ambassador of the Year in Oklahoma City. In 2000, she was named State Arts Agency Director of the Year by the National Assembly of State Arts Agencies, Washington, DC. Price currently serves on the National Board of Artrain USA, Red Earth, the Oklahoma Centennial Commission, the American Indian Cultural Center and the Jasmine Moran Children's Museum. She previously served as a member of the Oklahoma Tourism Promotion Advisory Committee, Friends of the Mansion and Friends of the Capitol.