OPSU’s Art on the Green Showcases Local Talent and Reignites Regional Art Connections

Goodwell, Okla —Oklahoma Panhandle State University recently hosted its 2nd annual Art on the Green event, welcoming high school students from seven schools across Oklahoma and Texas to the Goodwell campus for a day filled with creativity and hands-on learning.

Originally launched last year, Art on the Green has quickly grown into a celebration of student artistry and community collaboration. This year’s event was led by two new Art faculty members, Narciso Arguelles and Rachel Miller, who worked closely with Dean Tracy Kincannon and Dean Stacy Nordquist to expand the program and reintroduce OPSU Art to the surrounding communities.

Students participated in a variety of demonstrations and workshops held by local teachers, OPSU faculty, and alumni. Demos included a metal pour, watercolor painting, and airbrushing, featuring OPSU alumni Alison Clemens and Sam Ortiz, both respected Guymon High School art teachers. Workshops offered hands-on experiences such as leather tooling, clay pinch pot creation, and photography.

“It was important to me to include local teachers as part of the demos and workshops,” Art Department Chair Arguelles said. “This partnership is centered around the love for the arts and art education. When we reach out to schools, invite them to participate, and have their teachers lead sessions, it shows that we care. That is what strengthens the connection between OPSU and our local schools.”

The event drew approximately 180 attendees from high schools such as Guymon, Texhoma, Goodwell, Mooreland, Hooker, Stratford, and Perryton.

“The students’ enthusiasm made the whole day,” said Art Professor Rachel Miller. “It showed how much it matters to give young people a place to create and connect. Art on the Green helped them experience the creative community that exists here in the Panhandle.”

OPSU’s art faculty and students played a key role in making the event a success. Art Club members assisted with setup, led workshops, and documented the day’s activities through photography. Paige Pearson and Claire Lewis each led popular demos, and Kadence Kunselman partnered with faculty member Jeffery Cramer for a metal pour demonstration.

“I cannot say enough about how our students contributed to the day,” Arguelles shared. “All the full-time faculty did a demo or a workshop, and our students were a vital part of it all. I am very proud of them and grateful to have them be part of the day. I could not have done it without them.”

Dr. Charla Lewis, Vice President of Academic Affairs, shared her excitement about the program’s growth. “Events like Art on the Green demonstrate OPSU’s commitment to community partnerships and the arts,” she said. “It’s inspiring to see our faculty and students mentoring the next generation of artists.”

For many high school students, Art on the Green offered a glimpse of what a future in art could look like. “My hope is that students can see the possibilities,” Arguelles said. “That they consider art as a viable career path, whether in teaching, art or craft practice, commercial illustration, photography, or design.”

Summing up the event’s importance, Arguelles said, “OPSU is a leader in art and art education in the region, and Art on the Green helps establish that. It is one of the ways we give to the community. I think it is an important way to show the possibilities of a career in art, but also just a way to have fun and make art.”

View more photos from the day: https://flic.kr/s/aHBqjCzBYi

About OPSU 

Oklahoma Panhandle State University is a public university committed to access, academic excellence, and regional service. Located in Goodwell, Oklahoma, OPSU serves students from a wide range of backgrounds, with a strong emphasis on rural and first-generation learners. With career-focused programs in agriculture, business, education, nursing, science, and the liberal arts, OPSU offers a personalized learning experience grounded in small class sizes and close faculty support. The university is guided by the values of grit, collaboration, accountability, and a deep belief in the transformative power of education. These principles shape our commitment to student success and drive our impact on the communities we serve.