Beyond the Frame—the annual Northern Oklahoma College student art exhibition is on display through May 5 in the Eleanor Hays Art Gallery in the Kinzer Performing Arts Center at NOC Tonkawa.
Visual art students Macie Brophy, Delaney Fox, Anna Jones and Neally Lantz planned and organized the exhibit as part of the requirements for a credited Portfolio/Gallery Seminar at NOC. Beyond the Frame highlights the original art of these four artists along with works of other students enrolled in visual art and digital imaging classes during the 2025-2026 academic year.
Under the guidance of Audrey Schmitz, gallery director and art faculty, the art majors gained experience in developing the infrastructure of the exhibit, including choosing the show title and collaborating with NOC graphic designer Paige Larson on the poster design. The students created an original “skyscape” oil painting for the poster background. They also prepared their own work to be exhibition-ready, produced artist statements and title cards and installed dozens of additional curated works made by other students, all as part of their professional growth as working artists.
Concerning plans after graduating from NOC, Jones will transfer to UCO, Edmond, to complete a bachelors in Art, and Fox is pursuing internships in art and hopes to ultimately teach and produce work in her own studio setting. Brophy inspires to be a graphic designer after earning a bachelors degree, and Lantz will complete her art degree at UCO or OSU with an emphasis on digital graphic design.
“Overall, there is great diversity of media, subject matter and style in the works on view in Beyond the Frame, and the student show is always the most popular event in the Eleanor Hays Gallery,” Schmitz added. “Again, this year we are offering a ‘gallery gift shop’ of affordable art (starting at $10), making it a perfect opportunity to buy original work at great prices from talented artists early in their career.”
With over 200 works on display, visitors will find watercolor, acrylic and oil paintings; sculptures; pencil, charcoal and ink drawings; pottery and ceramic forms; digital media; masks; bas relief tiles and mixed media works. Select items are available for purchase.
A reception honoring all students is scheduled from 5 p.m. – 6:30 p.m. Saturday, April 18 in the art gallery. The exhibition and reception with refreshments is free and open to the public.
Regular gallery hours are 1 p.m. – 5 p.m. Monday – Friday and during events in the KPAC.
The exhibit will also be open following NOC commencement Saturday, May 2. For more information about Beyond the Frame contact Schmitz at 580.628.6670 or [email protected].
Northern Oklahoma College, the state’s first public two-year community college, is a multi-campus, land-grant institution that provides high quality, accessible, and affordable educational opportunities and services.
NOC serves nearly 3,100 students through the home campus in Tonkawa, Enid, and NOC/OSU Gateway Program in Stillwater, and the University Center in Ponca City. Of these students about 80% receive financial aid and/or scholarships. 75% of NOC students complete their degree with zero debt.
The college is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission and offers associate degrees in three general areas: Arts, Science and Applied Science; the Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs; and the Accreditation Commission for Education and Nursing.
For more information about Northern Oklahoma College please call (580) 628-6208 or visit the NOC website at www.noc.edu.
