The 34th annual Arts! Arts! Arts! Gala will take place this Sunday, celebrating the Weitzenhoffer Family College of Fine Arts and the presentation of the Arts Luminary Awards.
This year's celebration will honor actor and filmmaker Ed Harris as honorary chair. Harris attended the OU School of Drama before continuing his training at CalArts and beginning his career in Hollywood. An actor and four-time Academy award nominee, known for his performances in films such as “Apollo 13,” “The Truman Show,” “Pollock” and “The Hours.”
The Luminary Award recognizes OU alumni who have excelled in their fine arts careers. The gala will honor Arts Luminary Award recipients Melissa Schoenfeld, Kirk Fitzgerald, Clyde Montgomery, Jared Watson and Brian Lee Whisenhunt.
Melissa Schoenfeld is the executive artistic director of the Western Arkansas Ballet. She holds both a bachelor’s and master’s degree in ballet pedagogy from the OU School of Dance. Having trained generations of dancers, many of her students have attended OU. She has expanded access to the arts through programs for children with disabilities and has led a full length production of "The Nutcracker."
Kirk Fitzgerald is a 2011 graduate of OU’s School of Drama. Since then, he has built a career as a lighting designer, working on 22 Broadway shows as an assistant and associate lighting designer for shows such as “The Band's Visit,” “MJ: The Musical,” “Kimberly Akimbo,” “Into the Woods” and “Mrs. Doubtfire.”
Clyde Montgomery is the first Black PhD graduate in music education from the OU School of Music. Montgomery dedicated 47 years to Langston University, retiring as vice president of academic affairs in 2019. Through this role, Langston secured over $6 million in grant funding. He was inducted into the Oklahoma Higher Education Hall of Fame in 2024.
Jared Watson is a 2004 graduate of OU’s Weitzenhoffer School of Musical Theater. Watson is a producer, director, actor and designer. He co-founded Stage Center and its school of performing arts in Louisiana. Jared has worked with Tony award-winning professionals and spent five seasons as an actor with Lyric Theater of Oklahoma. He established the Talented Arts Program for Bossier Parish Schools and directed youth productions recognized at the Junior Theater Festival.
Brian Lee Whisenhunt is the executive director of the Gilcrease Museum at the University of Tulsa. Whisenhunt holds a Master’s degree in art history from the OU School of Visual Arts. Before joining University of Tulsa in 2024, he served as executive director of The Rockwell Museum in Corning, New York, as well as completing the Museum Leadership Institute program.
The Arts! Arts! Arts! Gala will take place from 5:30 to 10 p.m. on Sunday, March 2 at the Oklahoma Memorial Union and guests can RSVP online. The reception and the display of student art exhibits will take place at 5:30 p.m. and dinner, awards presentations and student performances will take place at 6:30 p.m. Cocktail attire is encouraged and parking is available in the Union Parking Center.
This story was edited by Madisson Cameron. Natalie Armour and Sophie Hemker copy edited this story.
