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ARTS & CULTURE
The Vibrant Arts Scene in Ponca City
“Ponca City has a rich artistic heritage dating back to the early 1900s. Influential collectors like E.W. Marland and Lew Wentz, along with the Matzene Collection—now housed at the Ponca City Library—helped shape the region’s art culture. In the 1970s, local artists formed what is now City Arts, which continues to foster creativity through exhibitions, education, and the longest-running art festival in Oklahoma.
Today, Ponca City’s art scene is thriving. City Arts is housed in City Central, PCDA’s office building, where it operates a gallery in the lobby. The co-work space at City Central also features artwork on loan from collector Hugh Pickens, adding to the creative atmosphere.
Public art has become a major focus, with hundreds of murals now adorning the city thanks to initiatives by City Arts and Ponca City Main Street. The Sunny Days Mural Fest left a vibrant mark on downtown alleyways, and the Painted Fox Project has introduced fun, colorful fox sculptures throughout the city.
Performing arts are also a key part of Ponca City's cultural fabric. The historic Poncan Theatre houses a unique collection of hand-painted movie posters from the early 1900s and is home to Evans Children’s Academy, where young actors can engage in live theatre.” Nearby, the Ponca Playhouse, a community theater in the round, provides immersive theatrical experiences for all ages.
Additionally, a 2017 bond issue enabled Ponca City Public Schools to build a state-of-the-art concert hall, enhancing opportunities for student musicians and freeing up resources for expanded theatre productions.
With a deep-rooted history and a flourishing present, Ponca City continues to celebrate and invest in the arts, ensuring a vibrant creative future for generations to come.
“Ponca City has a rich artistic heritage dating back to the early 1900s. Influential collectors like E.W. Marland and Lew Wentz, along with the Matzene Collection—now housed at the Ponca City Library—helped shape the region’s art culture. In the 1970s, local artists formed what is now City Arts, which continues to foster creativity through exhibitions, education, and the longest-running art festival in Oklahoma.
Today, Ponca City’s art scene is thriving. City Arts is housed in City Central, PCDA’s office building, where it operates a gallery in the lobby. The co-work space at City Central also features artwork on loan from collector Hugh Pickens, adding to the creative atmosphere.
Public art has become a major focus, with hundreds of murals now adorning the city thanks to initiatives by City Arts and Ponca City Main Street. The Sunny Days Mural Fest left a vibrant mark on downtown alleyways, and the Painted Fox Project has introduced fun, colorful fox sculptures throughout the city.
Performing arts are also a key part of Ponca City's cultural fabric. The historic Poncan Theatre houses a unique collection of hand-painted movie posters from the early 1900s and is home to Evans Children’s Academy, where young actors can engage in live theatre.” Nearby, the Ponca Playhouse, a community theater in the round, provides immersive theatrical experiences for all ages.
Additionally, a 2017 bond issue enabled Ponca City Public Schools to build a state-of-the-art concert hall, enhancing opportunities for student musicians and freeing up resources for expanded theatre productions.
With a deep-rooted history and a flourishing present, Ponca City continues to celebrate and invest in the arts, ensuring a vibrant creative future for generations to come.
