Duncan Area Arts Hall of Fame

07/16/2026

The Duncan Area Arts Hall of Fame is currently preparing to bring the community a memorable show for the eighth annual celebration. The event will take place on Saturday, January 23, 2027 at the Simmons Center. Inductees will be awarded, entertainers will perform, and a reception will follow. But first, nominations for inductees need to be made.

The Duncan Area Arts Hall of Fame encompasses Duncan plus many of the surrounding towns, such as Bray, Comanche, Empire, Loco, Marlow, Meridian, Ratliff City, Rush Springs, Velma, Walters, and Waurika. Nominations are accepted for a person or a group that deserves to be recognized for their artistic talents and/or support of the arts. Hard copies of nomination forms can be found at the Simmons Center and can be mailed or delivered to the Simmons Center (1330 Chisholm Trail Parkway). Nomination forms can also be completed online @ www.simmonscenter.com. Simply go to Theatre, then Duncan Area Arts Hall of Fame, and then Nomination Form. Nominations are due no later than September 1, 2026. The Selection Committee will choose 4-6 Inductees based on the nomination forms.

Volunteers serving on the Duncan Area Arts Hall of Fame Committee are Robin Arter, Martha Burger, Sharon Burum, Debbie Duggar, Gina Flesher, Sherry Gossett, Michael Harris, Nicole Knight, Jeanne Losurdo, Carol Murphy, Cindy Parks, Darcy Reeves, Kristy Rochell, and Vicki Zimmerman.

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02/11/2026

Thank you to Scott Smith Photography for these photos!

02/05/2026

The Duncan Area Arts Hall of Fame brings the community a memorable show for the seventh annual celebration. Inductees include – Barbara Brought, Eve Cornejo,...

02/05/2026

01/21/2026

01/02/2026

Mikel Davison was born in Alva, OK. Growing up on the plains of northwest Oklahoma, Mikel gained his love of history from his father and his creative inquisitiveness from his mother. He attended college at East Central University in Ada, OK on a basketball scholarship-If you don’t know him, he’s a pretty tall guy! He graduated with a Bachelor’s in History, and proceeded to coach and teach for the next 39 years. Eventually, he went back to school and earned a second Bachelor’s degree in Art from the University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma. In 2009, Davison decided to put his knowledge, talent and passions to work and began to pursue art more seriously. His art is influenced by the Western greats like Charles Russell and Frederick Re*****on, Native American artists like Allan Houser and the Kiowa Five, as well as his love for Oklahoma landscapes and wildlife.
Mikel’s pieces reflect the old adage “One man’s trash is another man’s treasure” in that he believes in using whatever is available. Whether that is a 100-year old fallen tree, reclaimed wood or metal, or cast-off windows. Through his artwork, he is able to combine his passion for history and the outdoors with his creativity. His works include sculptures, paintings and furniture. His subject matter ranges from historical figures to Native American warriors, from whimsical characters of legends and stories to the wildlife of Oklahoma. Mikel has his library of work on display and for sale at Wildfire Gallery in the Paseo District of OKC as well as in New Mexico. He volunteers his time and donates pieces within our community, adding support and care to his list of accomplishments. And, last but certainly not least, Mikel Davison is a generous and devoted friend of the Chisholm Trail Heritage Center. He has had numerous shows in our Garis Gallery of the American West and regularly displays pieces that add to the mission of the Heritage Center, which is to educate, celebrate and perpetuate the history, art and culture of the Chisholm Trail, the American Cowboy and the American West.

12/31/2025

The Gold Notes, Cameron University’s premier small vocal jazz ensemble, represents the Music Department in Lawton, Oklahoma with exceptional artistry and style. Directed by Khalil Cabrera-Tosado, this select group showcases refined vocal blend, tight harmonies, and a passion for contemporary jazz performance. Joined by the talented members of the Cameron University Jazz Combo—[Damein Shugart, Percussion; Melody Veloz, Bass Guitar; Reese Henderson, Keys]—The Gold Notes bring fresh energy and musical sophistication to every stage. For this Hall of Fame induction program, the ensemble proudly presents their arrangement of “Everything” by Michael Bublé, highlighting the collective skill, creativity, and dedication of its members, from left to right—[Brittany Hall, Kirstin Dunn, Darnell Collins, Lillie Wright, Vanessa Cleophat, Winston Hartley, Divina D’Haiti, and Mariah Baggs].

12/26/2025

Jana Oakman has lived in the Stephens County area all of her life. She is retired from public education having spent 29 years being a teacher and counselor. She lives with her husband, David, on Beech Ave. Together they have three children and four grandchildren. She not only works in her art studio, but also owns two Airbnb‘s with her best friend and owns another with her husband. She spends a lot of time traveling all over the world saying that getting experiences in other countries or places makes one a better artist.
From the time Jana was a little girl she aspired to be a teacher. After getting her first degree in 1990 she began teaching elementary education. Her love for art was incorporated in almost everything she taught. After teaching elementary for eight years, Jana took a job as an art teacher at Duncan‘s E.D.G.E. Academy. At the E.D.G.E. Academy, Jana used art as therapy for students who came to the alternative school. The students came to the academy for many reasons but many just needed a fresh start. Her love for art, her enthusiasm, and her quest for a safe place to express themselves brought many students a much needed safe place to learn and express. Jana led her students in doing many murals around the Duncan area. They entered in art shows every year many receiving awards. After pursuing her masters in counseling and another in educational leadership, she served as a counselor for many years at the E.D.G.E. with her last year in Duncan as a director of the program. Although Jana loved being a counselor, her love for art kept calling her back to the classroom. When an opportunity came available for her to teach at Comanche High School, just a mile from her house, she decided that she could incorporate both her love for art and counseling. Her students were introduced to many different mediums. Jana taught painting, drawing, mixed media, clay, pastel, papier-mâché, journal making and much more. Her talented students earned many awards with several pursuing degrees in art.
A few years before Jana retired in public education, she was already starting to think of an after retirement job that she could do with her aunt, Sue Wheeler, who also loved art. So together they started doing paint parties for adults, paint classes for kids, painting murals around the community of Stephens County, Oklahoma City, Lawton, Texas, and even lead a group of students in painting murals at an orphanage in Nicaragua. Eventually, Jana moved back to Duncan and was able to fulfill her wish to have her own studio, Jana’s Studio. Much goes on at Jana’s Studio - paint parties, classes for adults and children, as well as birthday parties. On Wednesdays you will find Jana painting with her watercolor Wednesday buddies. Together this group not only has fun together, but they learn, encourage, challenge each other, enter art shows, and travel to various art classes around the United States.
Jana, along with her partner Sue, is always willing to help the community by having made many appearances to work with people at the Cancer Center, Gabriel’s House, nursing homes, church groups, and much more. Although Jana does paint and do mix media, she has always said, “I am a much better teacher than I am an artist.”