Chisholm Trail Heritage Center to rope in annual Reining in the Arts

DUNCAN — Visual and performing artists will flood the prairie at the Chisholm Trail Heritage Center for its annual celebration of the arts in April.

Chisholm Trail Heritage Center will host its annual Reining in the Arts (RITA) from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday.

Chisholm Trail Heritage Center Executive Director Leah Mulkey said Reining in the Arts will highlight and celebrate all art forms while supporting local artists. This year, the Heritage Center will bring a new feature with dog art.

“Bring your dog and make a painting using their paw prints,” she said. “The cost will be $5 per canvas.”

She said since there’s so many community members out walking their dogs along the Heritage Trails, they thought they would add this event to the line up.

Reining in the Arts will feature performance stages outside the museum, along with an art stroll inside.

“What we love about Reining in the Arts is the vast and diverse talent from performers and artists right here in and around Duncan,” she said. “Reining in the Arts is a great opportunity for the community to gather and support all art forms.”

Mulkey said the event will bring a plethora of instrumental performances, bands, solo performances, cowboy poetry, historical interpretations, dancers and more.

“RITA’s art stroll will feature leatherwork, paintings, permanent jewelry, drawings, broken glass art, macrame and more,” she said. “Art stroll artists’ pieces will be available for purchase. Their works include handcrafted jewelry, woodwork, paintings, pen and ink drawings, photography, sculptures and more.”

Money’s on the Move Food Truck will set up at the event.

“We hope the community will be excited about the art and performances we will have,” she said. “We encourage everyone to join us and support these wonderful artists.”

Mulkey said LaQuincey Reed, sculptor, will teach sculpting classes and Dave Young, kite maker, will be set up throughout the event.

“LaQuincey is a phenomenal artist, and we are so excited for him to share his knowledge and skills with our guests,” she said.

Mulkey said attendees can meet with Young to learn more about kites and how to fly kites. She said the day will be “packed with entertainment and art.”

“Our lineup has a little something for everyone, which is why this is a great opportunity for our community to join together and immerse themselves in several art forms,” she said. “We are honored to host our artists, performers, vendors and guests.”

Reining in the Arts performers will include: Fort Sill’s 77th Army Band; Jan Carroll, along with her dulcimer; Jack Tidwell; Lorne Lee, 12-string guitarist; Wallace Moore; Jay Snider, a current State Poet Laureate; Rick Billingsley and Melanie Lawrence; Blake Reynolds; Aspiring Attitudes and more.

There will also be several visual artists, such as Benny Delarosa, Patrick and Alissa Hemphill, Shirley King, John David Rule, Blue Moon Mosaics, Linked by Stevi, Mama’s Macrame, Tressa Duvall and Jenni Drake.

The family and pet-friendly event will give community members an opportunity to visit the museum for free all day.