Live painting, open mic night and artist reception slated Tuesday during Tar Creek Conference

MIAMI, OK — A live-painting session with Oklahoma painters, as well as an open mic night and artist reception featuring works from poets, musicians, artists and photographers, will be available to the public on Tuesday, October 8, during the 27th National Environmental Tar Creek Conference.

A live-painting session with artists Ashley Jayne and Chris Mantle will take place during the day on Tuesday. The dynamic duo painted a colorful bison during last year’s conference, and their work will be added to the Silent Auction.

Jayne is a contemporary acrylic painter and digital artist recognized for her expressive floral works, luminous landscapes and seascapes, and the occasional animal subject. Her vibrant, often fluorescent palette and layered textures infuse her work with a sense of energy and movement, reflecting her intuitive artistic process. 

Mantle is a celebrated painter, gallery owner, and philanthropist whose bold, expressive works have become iconic in the local art scene and beyond. Best known for his dynamic depictions of the North American bison, Mantle captures the spirit of the wild through large-scale paintings that blend raw energy with refined technique. 

"Chris and I are truly honored to return for our second year at the Tar Creek Conference and to contribute through live painting for the silent auction,” said Jayne. “Tar Creek represents one of the most devastating environmental disasters in our country, but it is also a place of resilience and ongoing healing, and the latter is what we strive to make known to people. Art has always been our way of connecting with others, and using it for advocacy gives us the chance to shine a light on issues like this that truly matter. It means so much to us to be able to contribute creatively to this important work... helping to tell the story of the land, the Quapaw people, and the urgent need for restoration."

Open mic, artist reception

The open mic night and artist reception will be held in the ballroom of the Northeastern Oklahoma A&M College Student Union, located at 200 I St. NE in Miami. The artist reception, featuring works from Mat Black, Doug Lee, Jonny Skye, Liz Dueck and Tom Whipple, will begin at 6:30 pm. The open mic night, where musicians and poets will perform, starts at 7 pm. 

This year’s conference features artwork created by Peoria tribal member Jonny Skye, a painter and creative researcher. Her works are based on themes of nature, restoration and recovery. She formerly owned Skye Gallery in Providence, RI. Skye currently lives and works in Miami.

California photographer Matt Black, of Magnum Photos, will have his work on display. Black, who will not be present for the event, visited the Miami area last November to document the impact of former mining and environmental threats like flooding. His work has explored the connections between migration, poverty, farming, and the environment.

Liz Dueck, of Sand Springs, is a nature artist and art educator. She primarily works with oil paint and natural materials. Her creative practices are all based on exploration and connection. Dueck also regularly leads Art Hikes in the Tulsa and Sand Springs area.

Tom Whipple, of Wyandotte, is a wildlife and nature photographer.

To register for the 27th National Environmental Tar Creek Conference, visit https://www.leadagency.org

About LEAD Agency: Local Environmental Action Demanded Agency, Inc. (LEAD) is an environmental justice organization in Miami, Oklahoma that seeks to raise awareness about the effects of contamination on human health and the environment. Through public education, outreach, action, involvement with appropriate government agencies, and litigation, LEAD works to organize a citizen response toward cleanup and restoration of environmental harms, while striving for pollution prevention and environmental sustainability. For more information, visit www.leadagency.org and follow on Facebook or Instagram.

Media Contacts:

Kimberly Barker, communications director, media@leadagency.org

Rebecca Jim, executive director, leadagency@att.net