Local museum to celebrate Military Appreciation Day

OKLAHOMA CITY (KFOR) - Activities are in preparation for military service members and their families as the Oklahoma City Museum of Art (OKCMOA) in collaboration with the United Service Organizations (USO) kick off Military Appreciation Day on Friday, July 12.

This inaugural event is anticipated to provide a day where service members and their families can experience all the Museum has to offer free of charge.

“We’re very excited to collaborate with the USO on this endeavor,” said OKCMOA President and CEO Michael Anderson, PhD. “Our military service members and their families are an important part of our community, and it’s an honor to share the Museum with them in this way.”

The scheduled programming will be as follows:

Painting Classes 

10:30 am-12 pm and 2-3:30 pm | Exclusive to military service members and their adult guests 

Participate in a painting class led by an OKCMOA teaching artist. Limited to 20 registrants per session. Questions? Email usooklahoma@uso.org 

Card-Making Station 

11 am-4 pm | Open to the public 

As part of our commitment to fostering a sense of community, visitors to the Museum will have the meaningful opportunity to create “thank you for your service” cards. These heartfelt messages will be sent to our brave service members who are deployed overseas, allowing our visitors to directly contribute to their well-being and show their support.  

Drop-In Gallery Tours 

11 am, 1 pm, 2 pm, and 3 pm | Exclusive to military service members and their families 

Participate in a guided tour of OKCMOA’s world-famous Chihuly glass collection. Offered at the top of the hour at 11 am, 1 pm, 2 pm, and 3 pm. No registration required.  

Oath of Service Ceremony 

12 pm | Open to the public 

In coordination with the USO, Military Entrance Processing Stations (MEPS), and Recruiting Command, OKCMOA will host an Oath of Service ceremony in front of the Museum at Carolyn Hill Park. Immediately following the ceremony, new recruits and their families will be invited to stay for an informal lunch in the Museum.  

Military Kids Art Exhibition  

On View July 12-14 | Open to the public 

OKCMOA invites all participants in the annual USO Craft Camp to visit the Museum to see their art on display. OKCMOA is pleased to host a punch and cookies reception for the artists and their families. (Reception time to be announced.) 

For more information, please visit okcmoa.com or contact OKCMOA’s Head of Education Bryon Chambers at bchambers@okcmoa.com.