OKC artist co-op showcasing work of local creators

Art Central, an Oklahoma City artist collective, is working to display several works of the artists it represents at Quail Springs Mall.

The Coca-Cola Southwest Beverages Porch spoke with one of Art Central's artists, Susan Yback, about what the space means to others like her.

Q: What can people come to see at Art Central?

Yback: It's all connected, so it's all continuous, it just flows. We are all local; there are 17 of us, and there's even rumor of expansion."

Q: Apart from looking and shopping for art, what else is there for guests?

Yback: You can stop in for an art class, if you'd like, or sign up for one if you'd like to plan ahead.

Q: How important is it to teach art to not just adults, but kids too?

Yback: It's so important, children need art. It helps children learn to read and excel in other areas, it helps with higher-level thinking skills and it helps with problem-solving.

Q: How important is it to support local Oklahoma artists?

Yback: It's so important to have artists here at the mall, because we have a community here. Dr. Bob Palmer started our gallery, and he runs this place basically, and he's amazing. He paints murals all over Oklahoma City, and he paints here and sells his paintings here. He's working on this large landscape here, so this group has camaraderie., we all just love being here. We like to come in and work and paint and hang out, so it's a great place to be.