“Morning Meeting,” an original oil on canvas by internationally noted Oklahoma artist O. Gail Poole, was recently given to University of Oklahoma President David L. Boren, by the artist’s daughter, Nicole Poole of Norman. 

Guided by the wishes of father, who died in April 2013, Nicole Poole presented the artwork as a gift to Boren in recognition of the respect “my father and our family has for his dedication and service.” Nicole Poole, who is an alumna of the OU School of Drama, said her father followed the career and championed the efforts of Boren and enthusiastically supported the President’s work to nurture OU into a world-class institution. 

“The university is honored to receive this gift from such a fine artist who was also an outstanding citizen of Norman,” Boren said. “It will become part of the university art collection of the Fred Jones Jr. Museum of Art.”

Boren said he will display the work at Boyd House now and will ensure that it later becomes a permanent part of the collections of the Fred Jones Jr. Museum of Art. 

“I am honored and humbled that my father’s legacy will continue at OU and thank President Boren for his decision to donate his painting to the University,” said Nicole Poole. 

O. Gail Poole, who earned his Bachelor of Fine Arts degree from OU in 1957, spent hours in the Fred Jones Jr. museum each week, gaining inspiration from the magnificent collection, Nicole Poole said.

Active in artists’ organizations on a local, state, national and international level, O. Gail Poole was founder and chairman of the Oklahoma City Art Directors Guild. He was a prolific artist for more than 50 years, and his works are on exhibit in museums, galleries and private collections across the globe.

Upon his death a trove of his works were discovered in oil, encaustic, pastel, watercolor, sculpture, pencil, and pen and ink. Those works now comprise The O. Gail Poole Collection, which is currently being cataloged and prepared for public display.