The Future of Our Past
The OKPOP Foundation has officially completed the $18 million Heart & Soul Campaign, and the State Treasurer has now approved and certified the pledges, releasing the state’s matching funds. This milestone marks the beginning of OKPOP’s next chapter: exhibit design, fabrication, and the build-out of Oklahoma’s first museum dedicated to the global creative impact of its people.
Hello Friends and Potential Donors,
“You know, this whole campaign wasn’t just about raising $18 million – it was about backing a mission that means something. OKPOP is here to celebrate the crazy amount of creativity that comes out of Oklahoma, to tell the stories of the folks who shaped music, film, and art, and to fire up the next generation to chase their own big dreams. The way people showed up to support this blows me away. Oklahoma should be proud of what’s coming.”
Honorary Campaign Chair
It was great to have Ethan Hawke visit OKPOP recently!
The star of FX’s The Lowdown is back in Tulsa filming the show’s second season, continuing a creative partnership with Sterlin Harjo that has helped connect Ethan deeply to Oklahoma storytelling and culture. From appearing in Reservation Dogs to helping shape Tulsa noir-inspired stories on screen, Hawke spoke passionately about the creativity, history, and community he’s found here in Oklahoma.
Though born in Texas and raised in New Jersey, Ethan has developed strong Oklahoma ties through his work and collaborations. He portrayed Oklahoma-connected jazz legend Chet Baker in the film Born to Be Blue, reflected on the impact of The Outsiders and Tulsa on his imagination growing up, and recently portrayed lyricist Lorenz Hart in Blue Moon, a story connected to the opening night of the legendary musical Oklahoma!.
During the interview, Ethan shared thoughtful reflections on Tulsa, creativity, storytelling, and the friendships that have made Oklahoma a meaningful new chapter in his life.
Thank you, Ethan, for spending time with us and sharing your story. 🎬✨
#OKPOP #EthanHawke #Tulsa #ReservationDogs #TheLowdown @ethanhawke
We recently had the honor of turning the camera around on Oklahoma filmmaker Amy Scott for a video interview with OKPOP and the Oklahoma Historical Society.
Amy shared stories from growing up in Lawton, discovering documentary filmmaking at the University of Oklahoma, teaching herself editing after breaking her arm, and building a remarkable career telling deeply human stories through film. From directing documentaries on artists like Sheryl Crow, Melissa Etheridge, and Counting Crows to her acclaimed film on Hal Ashby, Amy spoke about trust, storytelling, music, Oklahoma grit, and the importance of finding the human story beneath the surface.
She also offered encouragement to young filmmakers: learn the craft, find your people, and remember that the stories around you matter.
We’re grateful to Amy for sharing her creative journey, wisdom, and Oklahoma story with us as part of the OKPOP oral history archive and future exhibits.
#OKPOP #AmyScott #OklahomaFilm #DocumentaryFilm #OklahomaCreatives @amyelizscott
We recently connected with Chris Cleveland for a life history interview for the Oklahoma Historical Society state archive and future OKPOP exhibits.
From growing up in Tulsa’s church music scene, to founding Stars Go Dim, to navigating hearing loss while building a career in music, Chris shared an honest and inspiring look at the road behind the songs.
He reflected on mentors, long nights on the road, selling out Cain’s Ballroom, balancing life and touring, and the lessons he’s learned about persistence, craft, and protecting your voice—both creatively and professionally.
“Grow where you’re planted… take every opportunity you can find here.”
#OKPOP #OklahomaHistory #TulsaMusic #StarsGoDim #OklahomaCreatives @starsgodim
Big congrats to our friend Evan Hughes on May 15 officially being declared Evan Hughes Day by Tulsa Mayor Monroe Nichols.
Check out I’ve Been Blessed By Evan Hughes, the Tulsa-made docu-dramedy directed by Abbie de Vera.
#OKPOP #EvanHughes #Tulsa #OklahomaFilm #TulsaArts @evanbhughes
It was an honor to spend the day with artist and visionary Gary Panter, capturing a video interview about his Oklahoma roots, creative journey, and the winding road that led from the early Los Angeles punk scene to Pee-wee’s Playhouse and beyond.
Gary shared stories of the teachers, influences, risks, and wild turns that shaped his career, but one idea kept rising to the surface: creativity belongs to everyone. His encouragement was simple but powerful… embrace your inner artist, stay curious, and keep making.
Thank you, Gary, for your honesty, your imagination, and for reminding us that creativity is not reserved for a select few. It’s something all of us carry.
#OKPOP #GaryPanter #OklahomaCreatives #PeeweesPlayhouse #CreativityForEveryone @gary.panter
We were grateful to reconnect with Oklahoma writer Connie Cronley for a video interview at OKPOP.
Connie reflected on her life as a writer, her biography A Life on Fire: Oklahoma’s Kate Barnard, and her deep admiration for Kate Barnard’s moral courage, compassion, and long-overlooked legacy.
She also shared wonderful memories of Jay Cronley, the Tulsa writer behind novels adapted into films like Funny Farm, Let It Ride, and Quick Change. Connie described Jay as “the smartest, the funniest, the wittiest, the quickest person” she had ever met, adding that being married to him was “like being married to a bottle rocket.”
From Kate Barnard’s fire to Jay Cronley’s wit, Connie reminded us how much Oklahoma storytelling has shaped our history, humor, and creative spirit.
Thank you, Connie, for helping us preserve these stories.
#OKPOP #OklahomaWriters #OralHistory #JayCronley #KateBarnard @okhistory
Today we’re celebrating the remarkable life of Norman Dolph, an Oklahoma original whose life came full circle in a way few ever do. Born on May 11, 1939, in Tulsa, Norman passed away on his 83rd birthday, May 11, 2022, leaving behind a creative legacy that stretched across music, art, technology, and culture. 
Producer. Songwriter. Painter. Inventor. Entrepreneur. And by many accounts, one of the first mobile DJs in America.
While working at Columbia Records in New York, Dolph crossed paths with Andy Warhol, who introduced him to a little-known band called The Velvet Underground. Dolph helped finance and produce their earliest studio sessions, recordings that would become part of one of the most influential albums in rock history. Warhol was so grateful that he reportedly paid Dolph with original artwork. 
From Tulsa to the heart of New York’s underground art scene, Norman Dolph proved what we say at OKPOP all the time: Oklahoma creativity doesn’t stay in one place. It travels. It shapes culture. And sometimes, it helps change music forever.
#OKPOP #NormanDolph #Tulsa #VelvetUnderground #AndyWarhol
It was awesome connecting with Michael Wittig, bass player for Tulsa-based rock band Pillar.
Michael shared stories about his musical roots, the formation and rise of Pillar, years of touring, the success of Fireproof, the challenges of life on the road, and the band’s recent reunion documented by his son Caden.
One of our favorite reflections:
“I don’t take for granted what Pillar was able to do…a very small percentage of people ever get to do that.”
And his advice for young musicians?
“Never give up…Surround yourself with other people that are better than you.”
Thank you, Michael, for sharing your story, your music, and your Tulsa journey with OKPOP.
#OKPOP #MichaelWittig #Pillar #TulsaMusic #pillarmusic @wittigworks @pillarmusic
Donate
Your charitable donation directly contributes to OKPOP’s future, we are grateful for your support! Donations to support the OKPOP Museum may be made to the OKPOP Foundation, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. Donations are tax deductible as allowed by law.
Donations may be made through the secure online donation form or mailed to:
OKPOP Foundation
422 North Main Street
Tulsa, Oklahoma 74103
If you have questions about additional gifting options, please contact Abby Kurin at akurin@okpopfoundation.org
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