Parker Chambliss and Joseph Bonnell of the Norman Queer Alliance take a break for an interview after marching in Sunday's Pride Parade in Oklahoma City. They, along with other members, founded the Norman Queer Alliance, which is helping to unite the Norman homosexual community.

Norman Queer Alliance has Presence at Oklahoma City Pride Festival

Sunday marked the 22nd Annual Pride Parade in Oklahoma City, and this year the Norman Queer Alliance had a presence in the Parade as well as arranging a carpool to the festivities for it's members, according to information sent through their Facebook site.

The Norman Queer Alliance was founded within the last year, and meets near campus frequently according to one of the organization's co-founders, Joseph Bonnell. The organization is growing rapidly, and is starting a book club with the Norman Women's Collective.

"Everyone is welcome to join," said Bonnell. "We are looking to reduce homophobia in the community, and we welcome anyone interested in that goal."

Students interested in joining can get more information by e-mailing NormanQueerAlliance@gmail.com. The organization is actively seeking volunteer writers for the Zine and their blog, said Bonnell.



Click on Play to listen to an interview with Joseph Bonnell about the Norman Queer Alliance.

Library System Youth Director Adrienne Butler hands out information on Library Day at the Sam Noble Museum of Natural History. Library employees were available to register visitors with Library cards and inform them of upcoming events in their towns.

Library Day at the Sam Noble Museum of Natural History

The Sam Noble Museum of Natural History and the Pioneer Library System teamed up to offer free admission to the museum when visitors showed their library cards on Saturday in an effort to publicize summer events at the libraries, according to Word Magazine, the Pioneer Library's quarterly publication.

The museum will be offering a 15% discount on all books in its gift shop through July 4th in honor of the event, according to the Sam Noble Museum Web site. The Pioneer Library System wanted children and adults to be aware of programs offered during the summer through their libraries, said Youth Director Adrienne Butler.

"The theme for this year's programs is Music and the Arts," said Butler. "For example, the teens at the metropolitan are doing graffiti... as a program this summer."

The library offers programs for children, teenagers and adults, including Book Discussion Groups. A calendar of events can be found at www.justsoyouknow.us/norman or you can call 405-701-2600.


Interview with Adrienne Butler at the Sam Noble Museum of Natural History.

Artist Caelie Winchester working at her studio.

OU Student Wins Prestigious Sculpture Award

The International Sculpture Center(ISC) has awarded an OU undergraduate student the award for "Outstanding Contemporary Sculpture 2009," an honor that could bring much publicity to the artist and the university art program, according to the OU website.

According to artist Caelie Winchester, recently graduated from the OU Fine Arts Sculpture program, she was nominated by Professor Jonathan Hils and competed against 441 other entrants to win the top prize. Her work will be featured at the ISC show in New Jersey before going on tour at galleries across the country. She was also featured in Sculpture magazine.

"There is no money involved in the prize, but there is lot's of exposure, which is good for a new artist," said Winchester.

Winchester is taking a year off to work on building her portfolio before applying to graduate schools. She is currently collecting materials, models and trying to arrange a new studio space to use. "I want to do this for a while," said Winchester. "Because I'm really, really liking it."

Gene Perry of the Norman Sustainability Network at the Dump the Pump event in Norman on Thursday.

Dump the Pump

The Norman Sustainability Network paired up with CART (Cleveland Area Rapid Transit) Services on Thursday to host "Dump the Pump," an event aimed at raising awareness of bus services offered in Norman, said Gene Perry, treasurer of the Norman Sustainability Network.

According to the CART website, the event was held in Andrews Park and offered free live music, comedians and prizes for bus patrons. Perry said that the Norman Sustainability Network arranged the entertainment, and CART provided transportation and prizes to bus patrons throughout the day.

"We need more people to get on the buses and use them in order to expand our services," said Perry. "We would like for students and citizens to be aware of where the bus stops are located, so they can take advantage of this service."

According to the OU website, students enrolled in the current semester at the University of Oklahoma can ride the bus for free with a validated student ID card. Routes, bus stops and times are located online at cart.ou.edu.

Second Friday Art Walk in Norman

Last night marked June's Second Friday Art Walk in Norman, an inexpensive way for college students and the Norman art community to get together. The Fred Jones Jr. Museum of Art is one of the many participating galleries in the walk.

Second Friday's are coordinated by the Norman Arts Council. They began last February and are contracted to go until December, although many galleries expressed an interest in extending the contract past that.

Michael Bendure, Public Relations Officer for the Fred Jones Jr. Museum of Art said, "We are thrilled with the turnout of the Norman community. Every month we offer live music, a hands-on art project, and a film from the Dead Center film festival."

Due to limited space in the gallery from reconstruction of the museum, student shows are not currently being offered. However, that is another opportunity the Fred Jones Jr. Museum of Art hopes to offer in the future. The next art walk will be July 10, 2009. Contact the Norman Arts Council for information or opportunities to display work at (405) 360-1162.