Support Okiebug's Native Species Mural Project

In October 2024, Okiebug and River Parks Authority launched the NATIVE SPECIES MURAL PROJECT along the east side of the Arkansas River trail. Four inaugural muralists—local artists Yatika Starr Fields, Christina Henley, Paddy Ryan, and Sarah Thompson—covered stormwater/sewer access structures with original artwork featuring native Oklahoma flora and fauna species. The project is curated by Liz Blood. (See additional photos and info at bottom.)

We have identified at least six more of these structures along the trail that we would like to cover with native species murals. We are raising funds to pay artists—all funds raised here will go towards future murals.

Okiebug is committed to paying artists well. Okiebug and RiverParks financed the first four murals for a total of $10,850, paying each artist $17.50 per square foot, an above-average rate for murals in Oklahoma. To commission six to nine more murals for an estimated 600 square feet, an additional $10,500 is needed.

Okiebug is also committed to enriching our community through art and celebrating nature. Okiebug financed its half of the project's first leg through selling our Creative Field Guide to Northeastern Oklahoma, which features 90 species native and naturalized to this part of the state, as well as the work of 50 Oklahoma artists. The NATIVE SPECIES MURAL PROJECT is a natural continuation of Okiebug’s work, highlighting our state's biodiversity as well as Oklahoma-based artists. Because we are a small independent publishing company and are working on making our next field guide, it is not possible for us to use more of our funds. We need that money to pay artists and writers for the next book.

ADDITIONAL INFO:

Okiebug is remembered by many in Tulsa as the go-to bait and tackle shop in the region. In 2020, Tulsa-based writer and editor Liz Blood resurrected the defunct brand, refashioning it as a publishing company. In 2023, the company published its first title, Creative Field Guide to Northeastern. To commission the murals, Blood worked closely with River Parks Authority to obtain permission from the City of Tulsa Arts Commission and Mayor G.T. Bynum, as well as Tulsa Metropolitan Utility Authority, which manages the structures.

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Additionally, River Parks Authority manages 26 miles of asphalt-surfaced trails that weave past gathering areas, playgrounds, fountains and sculptures along the banks of the Arkansas River in Tulsa. River Parks also owns and leases hundreds of acres reserved for wildlife habitation and land preservation. The NATIVE SPECIES MURAL PROJECT is a natural continuation of their work and mission, which is to enhance community life through stewardship of parks and public spaces along the Arkansas River.

Here are more photos of the recently-commissioned murals, appearing in order: Christina Henley (golden garden spider), Yatika Starr Fields (great blue heron and sauger), Sarah Thompson (cattails and great blue heron), and Paddy Ryan (red-eared slider, mountain boomer, five-lined skink, and timber rattlesnake):

Special thanks to Shane Brown for these photos.