Stelzer: Art Center's Potential Is Regional Museum / 50-Year Old Center Faces Crossroads with Care of Outstanding Private Collection

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About a half century ago, in January 1936, a tiny federal art gallery was opened by the Works Progress Administration in a former storeroom of the old Commerce Exchange Building at 8-A S. Robinson Ave.

It was in the midst of the Great Depression, and people needed cheap or free entertainment and activities. By August, more than 21,000 people visited that gallery, and 143 took free art classes. Sothe gallery was moved to a larger space in the Franklin Building at 120 NW 2nd St.

That was the beginning of the Oklahoma Art Center under the legendary Nan Sheets, who directed it for 30 years primarily as an educational center. The education has grown with classes in …