Oklahoma City has always prided itself on being original – with a unique location at the crossroads of major highways, a dramatic history, and a soaring spirit of creativity. OKC’s art scene is a natural reflection of that individuality. The city’s public art, including sculpture and murals, was even named the best in the country in 2021 by USA Today. The Wheeler District is lucky enough to be the home of a number of these notable public art pieces.
The ‘O-K-C’ Letters
Odds are, either you or someone you know has snapped a pic in front of Wheeler District’s O-K-C letters, a popular piece of Oklahoma City artwork. The sculpture has been named the “most Instagram-able” location in Oklahoma City and one of the top photo-op spots in Oklahoma.
Created by fabrication artist Hugh Meade in the spirit of other iconic images like the Hollywood sign, Philadelphia Love sculpture, and I Amsterdam project, the O-K-C sculpture was commissioned by the District to generate a sense of place. Watch for the letters anytime the Oklahoma City Thunder is on TV and you are likely to spy them!
Shipping Container Windwall
Artists Erin Cooper and Amanda Bradway used a canvas of shipping containers to create a playful and whimsical hand-painted mural featuring a colorful OKC skyline adorned with festive kites. Constructed as a wind block for the development, the shipping container creates a dreamy backdrop for the Wheeler District Ferris Wheel Plaza.
Look at the mural closely and you will find a 2-D bison, sun, fish and a girl on a flying motorbike!
The Terrace Homes
As architect Aase Eriksen said, “Architecture is the art we live in.” This is certainly true for the homes, shops and commercial spaces in Wheeler District, most notably the colorful Wheeler Street Terrace Homes.
Designed by local architect Sam Day and built by Wheeler Home, the chromatic collection of six colorful homes sits just off S. Western Avenue. Often referred to by visitors as the “rainbow homes,” the Terrace Homes are three-story residential properties, each around 1800 square feet with three bedrooms and three bathrooms. Featuring a second-floor living space connected to a terrace (get it? terrace homes?), the dwellings were designed for perfect indoor-outdoor living.
Just like a colorful art installation, the sunny Terrace Homes beckon visitors into the neighborhood for a closer look.
Experience the Art
Public art unique to a community will transform the way members react to and interact with a space. The next time you are snapping a photo on the Ferris Wheel or enjoying a bike ride on the river, take a moment to experience the surrounding art and remember the artists who found inspiration in our great community.
