We often consider the weather one of the most basic topics of “small talk” conversation, but nothing about it is small in Oklahoma. The state is known for its tempestuous storm history and culture, one that professional meteorologists, photographers, and residents marvel at—from wind sweeping down the plains, to record-setting storms and frequent twisters.
Our newest exhibit at 101 Archer will reconsider what it means to talk about the weather. Bringing together historical pictures, cinematic imaginings, cultural explorations, iconic photographs, and spontaneous snapshots, Storm Chasing examines the shared experience of extreme weather events from pre-statehood through the 2024 storm season.
With photographs from more than fifty Oklahomans, this exhibit showcases the work of professional storm chasers and photographers, as well as weather enthusiasts on their cell phones. Some of the major events featured include the 1930s Dust Bowl storms, the Woodward Tornadoes of 1947 and 2012, the ice storms of 2007, 2013, and 2021, the Moore Tornado of 2013, the flooding of 2019, the 2023 Father’s Day Weekend Derecho, and the 2024 Barnsdall/Bartlesville EF-4 Tornado.
According to the Oklahoma Climatological Survey, Oklahoma’s climate “ranges from humid subtropical in the east to semi-arid in the west.” The blurry climate definition contributes to the belief common in Oklahoma that our weather is uniquely volatile and temperamental. Throughout the plains states, cold air fronts from the Rocky Mountains mix with warm air fronts from the Gulf of Mexico. Thanks to this cocktail of hot and cold air, Oklahoma sees its fair share of wind, ice, and thunderstorms and endures an average of about fifty tornadoes a year. Storm Chasing USA claims that Oklahoma has more tornadoes per square mile than anywhere else in the country. It’s the state where, on average, a tornado is most likely to occur on any given day.
Over the course of the twentieth century, the extent and intensity of Oklahoma’s climate captured the imaginations of artists across the country, who in turn created popular media that strengthened the bond between the state and extreme weather. Featuring many cultural artifacts and images made in Oklahoma, the exhibit also highlights the 1905-1906 Silver Horn Calendar, the Twister movie franchise, and artistic works by abstract artist Carly Treece and Oklahoma cartoonists Bruce Plante and Don Woods.
Through these perspectives, Storm Chasing provides a panoramic view of the storms that have shaped Oklahoma—capturing their power, variety, and sublime beauty.
The opening of this exhibit will be part of the August’s First Friday Art Crawl. It will run through October 26. To stay up-to-date with OCH events, bookmark our homepage at humanities.utulsa.edu or follow us on social media.