Sooner State News

ENID, Okla. — The Cherokee Strip Regional Heritage Center is set to host "The Fourth Grade Project," an exhibit showcasing the work of artist Judy Gelles. The exhibit will be open from January 28 to March 16 in the Mabee Foundation Gallery.

Over the past decade, Gelles has interviewed and photographed more than 300 fourth-grade students from diverse economic and cultural backgrounds across countries such as China, England, India, Israel, Italy, Nicaragua, St. Lucia, South Africa, Dubai, South Korea, and various parts of the United States. Each student was asked three questions: "Who do you live with? What do you wish for? What do you worry about?" Their responses highlight a range of societal issues including violence, immigration, family dynamics, global hunger, and media influence.

The exhibit features both frontal and reverse portraits that reveal personal yet universal stories. While each child's story is unique, collectively they address significant social challenges and shared human experiences.

Admission to the exhibit is included with regular entry fees to the Cherokee Strip Regional Heritage Center. Additional details can be found at csrhc.org or by calling 580-237-1907.

This exhibition is part of a tour organized by ExhibitsUSA under Mid-America Arts Alliance (M-AAA). ExhibitsUSA facilitates over twenty-five exhibitions annually across more than 100 communities in small- and mid-sized locales. These tours aim to provide access to diverse arts and humanities experiences while fostering cultural understanding.

Mid-America Arts Alliance supports artists and cultural organizations within its region and beyond. More information on M-AAA can be accessed at www.maaa.org.

The Cherokee Strip Regional Heritage Center operates under the Oklahoma Historical Society (OHS), which aims to preserve Oklahoma's history and culture through museums, historic sites, research archives, exhibits, educational programs, and publications. For further information on OHS activities visit www.okhistory.org.