Winds of Change - 2017 National Conference Wrap-Up - 46

OKC attractions include (from left) the Red Earth
Art Center, the Oklahoma City National Memorial
and Museum's Outdoor Symbolic Memorial, a
Chihuly piece at the Oklahoma City Museum of
Art, and the Myriad Botanical Gardens.

SEE YOU IN

Oklahoma City!

.

The main event is always the
National Conference - for so
many reasons. But the 2018 host city

has much in store for visitors. Oklahoma has a
rich Native American heritage - these lands
have been home to 67 tribes, more than any
other state. Its cultural connections are evident
in the many festivals, powwows, museums, and
heritage centers throughout the state. In
Oklahoma City itself, within walking distance
of the Cox Convention Center, you'll find an
ongoing celebration of Native culture at the Red
Earth Art Center. The center not only offers the
work of American Indian artists and artisans in
multiple media for sale, it also stages the annual
Red Earth Native American Cultural Festival.
To broaden your exploration of Oklahoma
City's history, head to the expansive National
Cowboy and Western Heritage Museum, which
preserves this unique aspect of our country's
past through its collection of fine art and
artifacts. Its statue of Buffalo Bill, surrounded
by acres of beautifully landscaped grounds, is
one of the largest bronzes west of the
Mississippi. And if you want even more of the
Old West during your visit to the "Horse Show
Capital," watch firsthand as those agile animals
go through their paces at State Fair Park, less
than five miles from downtown.
Perhaps the most evocative of the city's
destinations is the Oklahoma City National
Memorial and Museum, commemorating the
1995 domestic terrorism bombing of the Alfred

P. Murrah Federal Building. The memorial
recently underwent a $10 million renovation
that upgraded exhibits and hands-on activities
and added a 40-foot glass overlook. Visit at
night to appreciate the dramatic lighting of the
Outdoor Symbolic Memorial.
Visit the Oklahoma City Museum of Art to
admire the most comprehensive collection of
works by famed glass artist Dale Chihuly -
COMING SOON

The American
Indian Cultural
Center and Museum
Once the dramatic American Indian
Cultural Center and Museum is
completed, visitors to Oklahoma City
will be able to explore indigenous
history and culture through both
indoor and outdoor exhibits, hands-on
activities, and media presentations in
the 125,000-square-foot architectural
space and expansive grounds along
the Oklahoma River.

46 WINDS OF CHANGE * Denver » 2017 National Conference Wrap-Up

you can't miss his 55-foot-tall tower in the
museum's atrium - then stay to enjoy works
by other American and European artists.
Another beautiful Oklahoma City
destination is all about the art of nature -
right downtown. The 15-acre Myriad Botanical
Gardens delights visitors with its famous
Crystal Bridge Tropical Conservatory. At more
than 220 feet long and 70 feet in diameter, the
conservatory lets you view a waterfall and 750
varieties of plant life in two climate zones. Be
sure to leave enough time to enjoy the beautiful
outdoor space beyond the conservatory.
When you're ready to experience some tall
adventure, head to the Boathouse District and
the SandRidge Sky Trail. The tallest adventure
course of its kind, the 80-foot trail is ready to
challenge you with six levels of increasingly
difficult activities and thrills, like America's
tallest dry slide.
After you've worked up an appetite, check
out the wide choice of restaurants in Bricktown,
the city's entertainment district. You can see
many dining spots and shops from a water taxi
as you cruise the Bricktown Canal. Bonus:
you'll also get a lesson on the district's history.
And while you're in Bricktown, Exhibit C - a
gallery featuring works by Chicasaw artists and
artisans - is a must.
With all the things to do right downtown,
it's not too early to start planning your visit
to Oklahoma City - see you there, October
4-6, 2018! ■
aises.org

TOP: OKLAHOMA CITY CONVENTION & VISITORS BUREAU (4); BOTTOM: THEAMERICANINDIANCENTER.ORG

The 2018 National Conference is just one reason
to visit this dynamic downtown
http://www.THEAMERICANINDIANCENTER.ORG http://www.aises.org
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