MAINSITE Contemporary Art

06/04/2026

Join us Friday, June 12, from 6-9 pm for the opening reception of "Omoide" by artist Taiju Kato in the Library Gallery. The exhibition runs from Friday, June 12, through Friday, July 10.

"Born in Tokyo, Taiju Kato moved to the suburbs outside of Chicago at the age of 6. It was a large leap to a completely unknown place with new faces, food, and location; it was a completely new life. After graduating from Columbia College in Chicago with a Bachelor's in Fine Arts Photography, he moved to Oklahoma, another unfamiliar place. This journey has led him to a diverse group of people from real life to the digital world. Allowing him to see things from a different perspective, an ability to think outside the box, and an identity molded from many different people. He takes a similar approach in his art, using framing, different angles, movement, exposure, and focus to create a unique composition and identity. This exhibition showcases the characteristics of his journey through the blurred memories that he has created." Read more about the current exhibits at mainsitecontemporaryart.com!

05/15/2026

Opening Soon! Get your proposals ready!

Heads up! The Norman Arts Council will be opening exhibition proposals for MAINSITE Contemporary Art's Main Gallery very soon! Have your art seen by thousands at one of Oklahoma's finest galleries with 2nd Friday crowds. Proposals should include an exhibition narrative, artist statement, CV, examples of past work and any other relevant information.

We will begin accepting applications in August, and you will have until the end of September to submit. Read more about the gallery and where to submit your proposal at normanarts.org/mainsite

Pictured artwork by Lauren Rosenfelt

04/30/2026

Next Friday, May 8 from 6-9 pm, join us for the opening reception of Denae Elise's new exhibition "Oasis:II", along with "Theriomorphism" by Marcus Eakers, and "Joy" by Shakurah Maynard-Duncan at MAINSITE Contemporary Art. The opening reception will take place alongside 2nd Friday Art Walk. The shows will run until the closing reception, July 10th.

On her work, Denae says, "The textures and natural elements I use are not just for visual effect—they represent transformation, time, and the layers of experience we carry. Through this process, my work becomes a physical record of thought and feeling that cannot always be spoken." Read more from the artists at normanarts.org/mainsite

04/29/2026

Join us next Friday for the opening of Shakurah Maynard-Duncan's exhibition "Joy", along with two other new shows, "Theriomorphism" by Marcus Eakers, and "Oasis:II" by Denae Smith at MAINSITE Contemporary Art. The opening reception will take place alongside 2nd Friday Art Walk from 6-9 pm on Friday, May 8th. The shows will run until the closing reception, July 10th.

From Maynard-Duncan on the exhibit, "One of the great impacts of collaborative art is its ability to pull in people that may not traditionally see themselves as creative... This body of work is a visual record for the research into my family’s cultural heritage and genealogy." Read more at normanarts.org/mainsite

04/28/2026

"Marcus Eakers explores Theriomorphism through hybrid figures that blur the line between the behaviors of human and animal. Using stylized forms and surreal digital compositions, his work reflects shared qualities of vulnerability and resilience. You are invited to explore the patterns that connect us to the natural world and to one another. "

Next Friday, Marcus Eakers's exhibition "Theriomorphism", along with two other new shows, "Joy" by Shakurah Maynard-Duncan, and "Oasis:II" by Denae Elise will be on view in the Main Gallery at MAINSITE Contemporary Art. The opening reception will take place alongside 2nd Friday Art Walk from 6-9 pm on Friday, May 8th. The shows will run until the closing reception, July 10th.

To learn more about the artists, visit normanarts.org/mainsite

04/15/2026

We had an amazing opening reception for the 2026 OU MFA Thesis Exhibition! Congratulations to the Class of 2026 OU School of Visual Arts MFA students, Lori Bacigalupi, Katherine Gaff, Matthew Gilliland, Emma Moorman, and Haley Prestifilippo! If you missed it, be sure to check it out by this Friday before it's gone!

04/03/2026

Join us Friday, April 10, from 6-9 pm for the opening reception of "Reflexion" by artist Chase Spivey in the Library Gallery. The exhibition runs from Friday, April 10, through Friday, May 8.

"Reflexion is a large-scale interactive installation of over 2,500 slightly convex 2.5 inch circular mirrors mounted across the walls of the Library Gallery at MAINSITE Contemporary Art. Each mirror can pivot slightly, allowing the viewer's reflection and the surrounding environment to shift in response to interaction. The work challenges traditional gallery viewing by making the viewer's presence an essential and evolving part of the piece. Drawing from geometric abstraction, kinetic art, and participatory installation traditions, Reflexion turns the gallery into a perceptual instrument exploring themes of perception, identity, surveillance, and transformation." Read more about the artist at mainsitecontemporaryart.com!

04/02/2026

Join us next Friday, April 10 for the opening reception of the 2026 OU MFA Thesis Exhibition featuring the graduate school work of MFA candidates Lori Bacigalupi, Katherine Gaff, Matthew Gilliland, Emma Moorman, and Haley Prestifilippo at MAINSITE Contemporary Art. The exhibition will run from Friday, April 10 through Friday, April 17.

Free, public opening reception from 6 to 9 p.m. that evening as a part of 2nd Friday Norman Art Walk!
More information about the exhibits is coming soon over at mainsitecontemporaryart.com!

02/13/2026

Join MAINSITE Contemporary Art tonight for the closing reception of "Are we having fun yet?" from Joshua Boydston, "IN COLOR" from Bridget Trowbridge, and "Skeletons, Snails, and Sorcerers" from Charlie Street. From 6-9 pm taking place alongside February's 2nd Friday Art Walk. Read more about our artists at mainsitecontemporaryart.com!

01/23/2026

MAINSITE Contemporary Art will be closed Today through Saturday, January 24 due to weather. We will reopen next week at our regular business hours of 10 am - 4 pm Tuesday-Saturday. Stay warm this weekend and we'll see you next week!