When it comes to creating functional artwork, I am the first to raise my hand! Since the start of my design and art career, I have been producing works of art with interactive qualities, in which aesthetics, functionality, and the improvement of human well-being fuse to create pieces that bring art and life together. In this quest, I have crafted various functional art pieces. But for me, one of the art forms that reaches people across a broad spectrum (both art and non-art devotees) is through the implementation of functional public art. And this project is not an exception!

[EVOLVE] is a functional and sculptural/aesthetic public art bikerack group that seeks to enhance the historic Classen Ten Penn neighborhood's identity, unique values, and multicultural character, which have been growing for centuries. Specifically, the growing cubes of [EVOLVE] will be one more “brick” in McKinley Park to build and reinforce the sense of place in this community.

A contemporary geometric design combines freshness with a pleasing sense of rhythm, intending to transmit this community's evolution and growth since the early 1900s.

Seeing Oklahoma City communities implement this initiative, as the Classen Ten Penn (CTP) Neighborhood Association, is inspiring. However, it’s essential to note that this initiative was viable through its partnership with Current Studio and the support of the City of Oklahoma City’s Strong Neighborhoods Initiative, the Mid-America Arts Alliance, and, last but not least, the Oklahoma Visual Arts Coalition (OVAC), which awarded me the Creative Project Grant this past January 2018. The grant will also serve as a fund to bring [EVOLVE] to life.

[EVOLVE] is a complete celebration of this community’s character; a community that is constantly developing new ideas but celebrates and honors its past, its present, and its future.