The Firehouse Art Center is hosting an exhibition by professional tattoo artist, Chase Dryden! THUNDOR: The Art of Chase Dryden will be held at the FAC Gallery from February 17th – April 28, 2023.
OPENING RECEPTION
Friday, February 17, 2023 at 5:30 PM
Live music from Celia Monroe
Catering provided by The Diner
LIVE BELLY PAINTING DEMONSTRATION
Tuesday, March 7, 2023 at 3 PM
OKC THUNDER TICKET RAFFLE
Throughout the exhibition, the Firehouse will have a raffle opportunity! Visitors who purchase any item in the Firehouse’s gift shop between February 17 and March 6 will be entered to win a game day experience with THUNDOR, including two tickets to watch the OKC Thunder vs Golden State Warriors on March 7th.
The Firehouse’s new Executive Director/Curator Andy Couch said, “We are excited to have the opportunity to showcase a community member’s passion for professional basketball through his relationship with Oklahoma artists.” The show consists primarily of photographs of Chase Dryden’s body paintings on THUNDOR (Garrett Haviland), as well as other painters over the many seasons of the super fan’s career.
It is not often that an artist develops a friendship with their canvas years before painting, but Chase Dryden and Garrett Haviland were good friends before the idea of THUNDOR came along. Chase met Garrett after he was randomly assigned as a new roommate during college in 2004 at The University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma (USAO). A tattoo artist by profession, Chase begins his day inking lifelong works of art and creates temporary belly masterpieces by night for his fanatic friend. Garret Haviland said, “I never set out to be a canvas, but when life hands you enthusiasm and a large frame there is only one thing left to do, become a work of art.”
