Murals That Heal, in 1995 and Today

Come witness a temporary mural being installed in the Memorial and Museum’s classroom and hear from the artists using tape art to inspire hope and healing. Their story is part of the larger story about how the Oklahoma City bombing forever changed us and how good can come from tragedy.

In April 1995, Michael Townsend was preparing with his team of artists to participate in the Oklahoma City Festival of the Arts. The Arts Council cancelled the festival in the wake of the bombing, and this group of artists’ lives were forever changed by what came next. They turned their talents to creating a giant mural inside the Myriad Convention Center for the rescue workers. For 58 sleepless hours, in the spirit of the Oklahoma Standard, Michael’s team used a drawing technique with painter’s tape on a piece they entitled “The Hope Mural” to lift the spirits of workers coming through the Center between long shifts in support of the massive response.

This experience inspired a movement into the field of art and healing for the artists, and they began volunteering their talents in children’s hospitals and other places of healing. The September 11th attacks motivated Michael and his team to return to a familiar theme and use art for inspiring hope in the aftermath of another national tragedy, working on a five-year long tape art memorial project. The Tape Art muralists continue to volunteer and work toward using art for everyone in need of hope and healing.

For a limited time, visitors can see the mural with regular admission during Museum hours, Thursday – Saturday, 9:00am – 6:00pm and Sunday, 12:00pm – 6:00pm.

Special Sessions

• Wednesday, June 5 | 11:00am – 5:00pm
  Stop by the Memorial and Museum classroom to watch the artists put up a mural inspired by the mission of education and remembrance using their unique tape art technique.
• Friday, June 7 | 11:00am – 12:00pm
  Hear from Tape Art artists, Michael Townsend and Leah Smith speak about their art and service in pursuit of healing inspired by the experience of responding to tragedy in 1995 and 2001. Then, stick around to hear how everyone can use art in their lives to process tragedies big and small. Leave time before or after the artist talk to tour the Museum.

Learn more about Tape Art at tapeart.com.