Story and photos by Darl DeVault, contributing editor
For two days in July, a unique and innovative event unfolded at 3 Strands Vintage Antique Mall. Ten artists, in a competition like no other, created art using items available in the mall. This event not only showcased the artists’ skills but also introduced many to the thousands of pieces of Americana available for purchase at the 35,000-square-foot complex south of Lake Hefner on Northwest Expressway in Oklahoma City.
Brittany Tinker, artist and private art class teacher in Mustang, won the top prize of $300 by creating a piece of functional art on July 11. She fashioned a decorative bird cage into a lamp device that enclosed a glass bunny and a crystal bird. The light brought the art to life above a giant vintage Italian glass jar in her award-winning entry. This artistic assemblage, which she named ‘Light Unexpected’, is available for sale at the mall.
The second-place winner, Rodrick Malone, won $200 by creating a stunning collage applied to a vintage suitcase. Kayla Kohout was voted third place for her artwork, earning $100.
“I spent hours weaving through the brightly lit and well-organized booths filled with treasures of the past,” Tinker said about selecting her art assemblage. “With each item having lived a life or two or three before being lovingly placed on these shelves, on display for a new adoption — what a wonderful way to be preparing for the adventure of the upcoming competition! A towering green glass demijohn—an extra-large vintage wine vessel—anchored my artistic vision early on, and I kept its form in mind, letting it attach itself to everything I saw in the maze of relics, with over 100 booths to explore. I found a brass birdcage and floral arrangements, which also spoke to me. Slowly, these pieces revealed something ornate and cohesive — a sculptural light piece that now feels like it always existed, waiting to be discovered.”
While covering the two-day event, this writer was captivated by the unique shopping experience. The wide variety of vendors offered antiques, collectibles, and vintage items, ranging from furniture and jewelry to decorative pieces, all located at the mall.
Ten artists had the rare privilege of competing as they created new artworks using items selected from a vast array of unique and timeless treasures thoughtfully displayed across the vendors’ booths in the well-curated complex.
“Here at 3 Strands Vintage (Antique Mall), we were thrilled to host this event,” said Cindy Gardner, mall owner. “All of our vendors spend so much time curating their inventory, and we were all proud to see it come to life in the imaginative uses these artists made.”
The mall is one of the largest of its kind in Oklahoma. Its massive size has drawn vintage enthusiasts and collectors alike. Due to the vast selection, there were numerous objects that the artists could interpret into their art pieces, all within the price range outlined in the contest sponsorships.
“It is novel and new that Oklahoma artists and sponsors are invited to apply to participate in a new form of art competition event,” event organizer Bob Palmer said. “The artist’s mission was to reinterpret classic items of existing craftsmanship and artistry into new works of art. Mixed-media, seen with new eyes as a novel assemblage, created stunning pieces.”
This was also an opportunity to increase their visibility in the art world. Tinker teaches several sessions of an art camp in Mustang in the summer, so she handed out flyers about her camp throughout the two-day contest.
You can find info about her art classes at goodmorninghomestead.com
Visitors also took advantage of a fully featured Lemonade stand and food trucks in the parking lot. Live music was offered throughout each day in the mall, creating a vibrant atmosphere that ensured everyone felt engaged and part of the artistic process.
More than just a showcase of art, this event was an interactive experience. It encouraged everyone, from art enthusiasts to casual observers, to participate and engage with the artists and their work, fostering a sense of community and shared creativity.
Each artist solicited sponsorship from an individual or team of their choice. Those sponsors had the first right of refusal to purchase the artist’s creations, but the artist set the price of each item.
If the artist determined their creation was of more value than the sponsorship and the sponsor declined the first right of purchase, it was made available for sale to the public.
This was a unique opportunity for sponsors to support local artists and receive a one-of-a-kind piece of art in return.
“This new type of competition is aimed at celebrating not just the artists’ talents but also the vibrant arts culture within Oklahoma, encouraging everyone to partake in the joy of creativity and innovation,” Palmer said.
Local YouTube videographer Lawrence Ross captured a YouTube treatment of the artistic process as the days progressed.
Oklahoma’s most-viewed artist, legendary muralist, and former University of Central Oklahoma art professor, Palmer, 74, created his work in the parking lot. “One of the things I like about creating art from vintage stuff is that it can be ever-changing. It’s never finished,” Palmer said. “I’m always adding items or taking things off. It can also change with the seasons. I can make it Christmasy, Fallish, or Spring-like. My items that I create can usually be used inside or outside. The door I made is titled “My Door of Endless Possibilities!”
