The University of Oklahoma Gibbs College of Architecture Urban Design Studio program has again collaborated on a public art project for Tulsa’s Chapman Green.
OU-Tulsa Urban Design Studio director Shawn Schaefer recently described the project. “‘Be the One’ is the second sculpture to be installed in downtown Tulsa’s Chapman Green. OU Urban Design Studio students facilitated the placemaking project using public art as a catalyst for bringing people to the park.”
He continued, “he sculpture is a truly collaborative effort between the studio, the Urban Core Art Project, TU School of Art, Structural Engineer Tom Wallace, the City of Tulsa Parks Department, and Artist Chris Morphis at Garden Deva metal works.”
Schaefer says that the sculpture will be installed in time for the opening of the Art Alley at TYPro’s StreetCred event on April 27, 2019. Urban Design students also authored a grant to bring more programming to the park in the future. The H.A. Chapman Foundation is providing $300,000 for events and activities offered by Tulsa Mayfest starting this summer.
Last year, Urban Design Studio students collaborated with artists Patrick and Sam Dougherty to build a Stickwork piece, helping to coordinate volunteers for the project.
To learn more about “Be the One,” check out this recent Tulsa World article and this feature on News 6.
Featured image: Students in the Master’s of Urban Design program
The Gibbs Design in Action Awards (GDAA) program, led by Dr. Wanda Liebermann, has announced its 2026–2027 funded student projects. The initiative supports design and research work that addresses social, cultural, and economic issues in the built environment through collaboration with faculty and community partners.
The OU Institute for Quality Communities (IQC) 2024 collaboration with the Historic Threatt Filling Station has been recognized in the Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City's newly released Byways Report: The Scenic Route to Rural Prosperity – a story-driven publication exploring how road trip culture and place-based tourism can fuel economic growth in rural communities.
The Gibbs College of Architecture is pleased to announce that Camille Germany, Chief of Staff, has been named the 2026 recipient of the university-wide Jennifer L. Wise Good Stewardship Award.
