Even the most avid divers would feel some apprehension descending 140 feet into the ocean in the pitch black of night. For Oklahoma native Brandi Irwin however, the darker the better for her unique underwater photography. Irwin is capturing national attention for her images of marine life fluorescing, or literally glowing in the dark. Irwin is bringing her collection of stunning photographs on exhibit at the Oklahoma Aquarium November 8 – 28. Irwin will be available to greet guests and discuss her underwater artistry at an opening reception, Tuesday, November 8, 6:30 p.m. The reception is complimentary, but attendees are asked to RSVP at www.liquidfilmphotography.com. After the reception, viewing the collection and opportunities to meet with Irwin are no extra charge with general admission to the Oklahoma Aquarium.
Irwin grew up in Shawnee and Seminole, Oklahoma, and became a certified diver at age 17 in Cozumel, Mexico. She moved to New York to pursue a modeling career and began blending her passions with underwater fashion photography. Her focus expanded to marine life when she learned about the phenomenon of fluorescence in corals, anemones and other species. Very few underwater photographers have captured images of animals in a fluorescent state and Irwin became intrigued by the challenge. Irwin is excited to bring her collection of photographs to her home state, after a successful exhibit at the New York Aquarium, and before touring other major markets.
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Aquarium Run Swimming Ahead
Jenks, OK May 20, 2011
Rain is not dampening the spirits of Aquarium Run organizers and participants. The annual event starts and ends at the Aquarium and travels through Jenks and south Tulsa Saturday morning, May 21st rain or shine. Only dangerous lightning or other severe weather conditions will cause the event to be cancelled or delayed. Updates will be provided on the Aquarium’s website: www.okaquarium.org. Funds raised through the Run support the Aquarium’s educational programs and exhibits.
The Aquarium Run includes a ½ marathon starting at 7:15, a 5k at 7:45 and a 1 mile fun run/walk at 7:50. Runners and walkers can sign up Friday from 10:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. at either Fleet Feet location, 5968 S. Yale or 418 E. 2nd St. Race day registration begins at 6:30 a.m. in the Aquarium Great Hall. Races are followed by a cookout and awards, weather permitting on the Aquarium’s McGraw Beach and deck or inside the Great Hall. Aquarium exhibits will also open one hour early, at 9:00 a.m. All registered runners receive complimentary race day admission. They may leave the Aquarium and return later the same day, but must present their run number bib to receive complimentary admission.
The Aquarium Run is sponsored by BKD, LLP, Community Care and GlobalHealth, Inc. In kind sponsors include Fleet Feet Sports, OU Physicians Sports Medicine, Upper Crust Catering, Panera Bread, Great Plains Coca-Cola Bottling, Go Fresh, Hiland Dairy Foods, Meeks Group and Papa John’s Pizza.
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Sea Turtles and Event Center
Jenks, OK March 7, 2011
The Oklahoma Aquarium is excited to mark two major developments Thursday, March 10th at 5:30 p.m. First, Aquarium supporters will turn shovels of dirt to mark the official groundbreaking for the Sea Turtle Experience, a new exhibit to house two loggerhead sea turtles and compatible sharks and other fish. The groundbreaking will be immediately followed by a ribbon cutting to open the Oklahoma Aquarium Event Center. The new flexible space is a renovation of the previous fishing tackle museum, and will be rentable for meetings, luncheons, classes, birthday parties and after-hours gatherings. The more than 2,000 square feet can be configured into one, two or three rooms seating more than 200 people depending on the table set up. All three rooms are fully furnished with audio/visual equipment and can be serviced by the Aquarium’s catering department from breakfast to dinner.
The Sea Turtle Experience will provide a permanent home for two sea turtles, which have been housed behind-the-scenes at the Aquarium since 2004. The exhibit will include an addition to the existing building, on the west side of the Marvels and Mysteries Gallery, with a 65,000 gallon tank, three viewing levels and a feed presentation platform. The presentation area will allow biologists to provide educational information about sea turtles and their threatened and endangered status. Construction is expected to take between 18 and 24 months. Fundraising efforts will continue during the build to raise the remainder of the $1.6 to $2 million needed. Nearly $1 million has been raised to date.
Donors include the Oxley Foundation, American Electric Power Foundation/Public Service Company of Oklahoma, Founders of Doctors’ Hospital Foundation, Hardesty Family Foundation, Inc., ONEOK, Inc., Anne and Henry Zarrow Foundation and Bill Knight Automotive. A fundraising campaign is currently underway in cooperation with Los Cabos and Waterfront Grill restaurants. A portion of all food sales on Turtle Tuesdays through March and April will be donated to the Sea Turtle Experience.
Symphony, Stingrays and Snowy Sea Sculptures
Jenks, OK February 5, 2011
An innovative partnership between the Oklahoma Aquarium and Tulsa Symphony Orchestra is suffering from the ongoing impact of heavy snow. Symphony by the Sea for Students stages Symphony musicians in front of Aquarium tanks to provide a unique combination of arts and science education for students and general Aquarium guests. The program was scheduled February 7-10 and February 15-18. Aquarium and Symphony managers made the difficult decision to cancel the performances for Monday and Tuesday, February 7 and 8, and may be forced to cancel Wednesday and Thursday, February 9 and 10 with yet another snow storm in the forecast. Registered school groups will be contacted by Aquarium staff to reschedule. Teachers interested in bringing their class still have time to sign up for sessions February 15-18, as registration deadlines are being dropped in light of school closures. Application forms, including for scholarship support are available online, www.okaquarium.org.
Tulsa Symphony Brass Musicians Rehearse in Front of Jellyfish Tanks
Meanwhile, work to repair damage from a frozen, ruptured water line over the stingray feed tank Thursday night has gone very quickly and will not pose any further delays in the Aquarium reopening, weather permitting, on Monday. Visitors are urged to check the Aquarium website for any weather closure updates. The water line break caused a section of ceiling to collapse over the stingray feed tank. However, thanks to the fast work of Aquarium biology staff and the Jenks Fire Department, no animals were lost or injured. Biologists have been watching for signs of stress, but all 30 rays and the one bumblebee grouper in the tank are swimming and eating normally.
Stingrays Swimming After Storm Related Damage
On a lighter and much more fun note, check out the snow sculptures in Clay and Holly Peevyhouse’s front yard. If you can't make it to see the Aquarium, create your own sea creatures!
Symphony by the Sea Dates Set for 2011
Jenks, OK January 12, 2011
A partnership between the Tulsa Symphony Orchestra and Oklahoma Aquarium proved so successful, the two nonprofits are offering encore presentations in 2011. In 2010, more than 1,100 students were treated to Symphony by the Sea for Students, a unique combination of arts and science education. The program was so well-received, twice as many dates will be offered in February 2011. Symphony musicians will be staged at tanks and exhibits in the Aquarium to demonstrate their instruments and perform musical selections. Aquarium staff will also be tank side, to explain the animal or habitat represented in the exhibit. Tulsa Symphony musicians rehearsed today, with a string quintet in the Shark Adventure, a woodwind quintet in the Coral Reef and a brass quartet in Marvels and Mysteries. Musicians will return to the Aquarium in August for Symphony by the Sea as a fundraiser. Patrons will enjoy dining alongside the Aquarium tanks and a Symphony concert in the Aquarium Great Hall. Proceeds will support Symphony by the Sea for Students and other educational efforts of both the Symphony and Aquarium.
Symphony by the Sea for Students dates and reservation information:
February 7-10 and 15-18. Teachers need to make reservations through the Oklahoma Aquarium www.okaquarium.org. Limited scholarship support is available through the Aquarium’s Fish Friends Scholarship Fund. The application is also on the Aquarium website.
Symphony by the Sea, evening fundraiser:
August 27, 6:00. Early sponsor information may be obtained by contacting Teri Bowers, (918) 528-1501, tbowers@okaquarium.org.
Woodwinds in the Coral Reef
Brass in Marvels and Mysteries
Strings in the Shark Adventure
Pre-Inaugural Ball an Exciting Evening
Jenks, OK January 9, 2011
More than 1,000 people filled the Oklahoma Aquarium Saturday night, January 8th for a pre-inaugural ball honoring Governor-elect Mary Fallin. Guests were treated to music, dancing, food stations throughout the Aquarium galleries and all the exhibits as beautiful backdrops. Fallin arrived to the thunderous applause of well-wishers and after making remarks from the main stage, shook hands and posed for pictures with guests. The entire Oklahoma Aquarium organization is proud to have shared in the historic welcoming of Oklahoma's first female governor and honored by the opportunity to highlight the Aquarium's educational and economic value.
Governor-elect Fallin Arrives at the Oklahoma Aquarium
Governor-elect Mary Fallin, husband Wade Christensen and daughter
Christina Fallin in the viewing dome of the Shark Adventure
Oklahoma Aquarium to host Pre-Inaugural Ball
Jenks, OK January 6, 2011
The pre-inaugural festivities for Governor-elect Mary Fallin will have fish for a backdrop Saturday evening, January 8th. The Oklahoma Aquarium is the site of the Tulsa area pre-inaugural ball and will be closed to the public during normal daytime operation hours, 10:00 to 6:00, to prepare for the event. As many as 1,000 people are expected to help celebrate Governor-elect Fallin’s pending inauguration with music, dancing, food and the opportunity to shake hands and take pictures with Oklahoma’s first female governor. All Aquarium exhibits will be open for the event, so it’s a wonderful opportunity for guests to mark political history while enjoying the state’s leading tourist attraction. Inaugural committee members chose the Aquarium, in part to highlight the importance of the tourism industry. Tourism is the third largest industry in the state with a $6.1 billion impact. For information about tickets to the Aquarium ball or other inaugural events, please visit www.maryfallininaugural.org.
New Exhibit Has Smashing Start
Jenks, OK July 19, 2010
What’s the next best thing to a ground breaking ceremony? A wall smashing! Most new construction projects begin with turning a few shovelfuls of dirt, but that’s not possible when the work is slated within an existing building. That’s the case with the Extreme Fishes Exhibit, which will be erected inside the Oklahoma Aquarium. Extreme Fishes will be stretch from floor to ceiling and contain crawl-through tunnels and acrylic bubbles that kids, and adventurous adults, can pop up in, to literally come eye-to-eye with fish swimming around their heads. Extreme Fishes will house arapaima, the largest freshwater fish in the world, along with other Amazonian species. American Electric Power Company Foundation, the parent company of Public Service Company of Oklahoma is supporting the educational experience. Stuart Solomon, PSO President and COO, John Harper, PSO V.P. External Affairs and David Sartin, PSO V.P. Finance and Regulatory donned hard hats and picked up sledge hammers to start knocking down the final wall standing at the construction site, Wednesday, July 21st at 9:30 a.m. Aquarium staff will complete the demolition and will perform the bulk of construction. The project will take approximately one year to complete.
PSO officers begin demolition for new exhibit
Extreme Fishes replaces an island of small tanks that stood in the center of the Adaptation Gallery. This update is part of the Oklahoma Aquarium’s strategic plan to offer new or renovated exhibits annually. It is critically important for educational, tourist facilities to regularly offer new features, to attract new and repeat visitors. Tourism is Oklahoma’s third leading industry, behind only energy and agriculture, with a $6.1 billion impact.
Artist's rendering of Extreme Fishes Exhibit
Symphony By The Sea Fundraiser Announced
Jenks, OK May 25, 2010
What piece of classical music would best fit the graceful yet ominous swimming of 300 pound bull sharks? How about the colorful and varied fish in a coral reef? The Tulsa Symphony Orchestra and Oklahoma Aquarium are partnering again to present Symphony By The Sea,but this time, the audience will be adults. The event set for August 20th at 6:30, will allow guests to enjoy Tulsa Symphony Orchestra musicians performing in front of various Oklahoma Aquarium tanks during the cocktail hour and dinner. The ensemble selections will be followed by a live auction, friend raiser and concert in the Aquarium Great Hall. The Symphony and Aquarium joined forces earlier this year to present a unique blend of arts and science for approximately 1,000 3rd, 4th and 5th grade students from the Tulsa metro area. That round of Symphony By The Sea was so well received, Aquarium and Symphony leaders decided to continue and strengthen the partnership by presenting an entertaining evening for patrons. Funds raised will support both Symphony and Aquarium education programs, including repeat Symphony By The Sea days for school children.
Honorary Chairs are Howard and Billie Barnett. Sponsorships are available at the following levels: Sharks and Strings, $10,000; Reeds and Reef, $5,000; Brass and Bass, $2,500; (Paddlefish and Percussion/Turtles and Timpani), $1,250. Individual tickets, Mermaids and Musicians are $250 per couple. Reservations can be made by contacting Janis Davis, 528-1555, jdavis@okaquarium.org. The Oklahoma Aquarium and Tulsa Symphony Orchestra are both 501 (c) 3 non-profit organizations.
Shark Exhibit Update Revealed
Jenks, OK March 2, 2010
The largest tank at the Oklahoma Aquarium has been undergoing an extreme makeover, and on Thursday, March 4th at 1:00, Aquarium staff will reveal the completion of Phase I in the Ray and Robin Siegfried Families Shark Adventure. The collection of sharks inhabiting the half million gallon tank has grown since the Aquarium opened in 2003, from six to an impressive 20 bull, lemon, sand tiger and nurse sharks. The exhibit itself though, has remained fairly simple. Over the course of the past year, Aquarium staff have been hanging life size shark models, producing informational graphics and exhibit pieces and even decking the entrance and exit ramps with special effect lighting. The end result is a more immersive, entertaining and educational experience for guests. The completion of Phase I kicks off Phase II, which will include video monitors, computer touch screens and other technology driven, hands-on features. The enhancement work was made possible through generous support of Cox Communications. Stein Iron Works also contributed to the interactive experience with a dive cage replica that guests can walk into for a unique photo opportunity.
The improvement of the Aquarium’s star tank is not only exciting for guests, it’s good economic development. The Aquarium draws approximately 1/3 of its 400,000+ visitors from across state lines. Updates and additions to the Aquarium help ensure new and repeat visitors. The Oklahoma Aquarium is open every day except Christmas, from 10:00 to 6:00, and until 9:00 on Tuesdays.
Symphony By The Sea Success
Jenks, OK February 5, 2010
What piece of classical music would best fit the graceful yet ominous swimming of 300 pound bull sharks? How about the colorful and varied fish in a coral reef? The Tulsa Symphony Orchestra is partnering with the Oklahoma Aquarium to present Symphony By The Sea. Approximately 1,000 3rd, 4th and 5th grade students from the Tulsa metro area will experience this unique blend of science and arts education February 8, 10, 11, 12. Groups will arrive at the Oklahoma Aquarium 10:00 a.m. each day of the program and after a brief orientation, rotate between three stations. The Tulsa Symphony Bravo Brass quintet will play in the Adaptation Gallery, the Tulsa Symphony Woodwind Quintet will perform in front of the Coral Reef and the Aquarium’s dramatic shark collection will be the backdrop for the Tulsa Symphony String Quartet. Aquarium biologists, education staff and volunteers will present information about the fish and their environments at each station, then Symphony musicians will introduce the music they’ve chosen to fit their setting. Selections will include a wide variety from Dixieland and pop music, to Handel’s Water Music and perhaps even the familiar notes now synonymous with sharks thanks to the movie “Jaws”. Although registration for school groups is now closed, the Aquarium will remain open to the general public to enjoy the music, for no additional fee above general admission. Thank you to our generous sponsors for supporting Symphony By The Sea: Arvest Bank, Lockton Companies, Mazzio’s, Charles and Lynn Schusterman Family Foundation, Summit Bank.
Even Santa Claus grows weary of cold and snow, so he’s taking a Caribbean vacation of sorts by diving into the Coral Reef at the Oklahoma Aquarium. Scuba Santa will find out which fish have been naughty or nice and give them holiday treats. After Scuba Santa hears the fish wish list, he’ll play with kids through the glass and pose for holiday pictures with an underwater twist. Scuba Santa dives will be followed by the regularly scheduled feeding and cleaning in the 60,000 gallon tank which is filled with approximately 400 fish from Caribbean waters. The entire Aquarium is decked out for the holidays, making it a festive environment for a family outing any day of the week. The Scuba Santa schedule is as follows. Additional holiday features including live music and shark tooth necklaces in the Cox Shark View Room are detailed on our website, www.okaquarium.org.
Scuba Santa Schedule
All 3:15 p.m. in the Caribbean Sea Coral Reef
December 5, 6, 12, 13 and daily 19-24. Santa Claus is not only coming to town, he's coming to sea! Scuba Santa will dive in the Coral Reef at 3:15 on the designated days to give "presents" to the fish and pose for pictures with good boys and girls of all ages. Scuba Santa dives will be followed by the full feeding in the Reef tank which is always a beautiful Caribbean experience.
New Features for HallowMarine Include a “Real” Mermaid!
October 20, 2009
HallowMarine, the Oklahoma Aquarium’s Halloween event, October 27 – 31, 6:30 to 9:00, takes on several new twists this year with special dive shows and the first look at an extreme makeover in the Siegfried Families Shark Adventure. Bring your kids in their costumes to enjoy pirate-themed fun with a giant pirate ship and other inflatables, carnival games and trick-or-treating alongside the fish tanks. Friendly pirates roam the Aquarium handing out extra candy, but don’t miss the diving pirate and mermaid who offer tricks and treats in the Coral Reef. From 7:00 to 7:30 and 8:00 to 8:30, see beautiful mermaids swimming with the fish and a swashbuckling pirate posing for pictures.
HallowMarine is all indoors and all exhibits are open, including a new development. HallowMarine is the first time guests will see dramatic enhancements to the shark exhibit. Through generous support from Cox Communications, the ramps leading in and out of the walk-through tunnel and dome now feature effect lighting, informational graphics and interactive pieces. Other sponsors include the Oklahoma Tourism Department and Stein Iron Works. Portions of the shark exhibit have been closed periodically during the renovation, and while the entire exhibit will remain open during and after HallowMarine, additional pieces will be installed in the weeks to come.
HallowMarine will also mark the end of the Truckin’ For Turtles Contest. One lucky winner will be drawn Halloween night to win a brand new Ford Ranger SuperCab provided by Bill Knight Ford. Other prizes include a private sleepover in the Aquarium and a private tour to see the two, 200-pound Loggerhead Sea Turtles now living behind-the-scenes at the Aquarium just waiting on construction of a public exhibit. Raffle tickets to enter the Truckin’ For Turtles Contest are $20 each or 6 for $100 and are available at the Aquarium ticket office and may also be purchased online.
Tickets for HallowMarine are $10 for adults and $7 for children. That’s discounted from regular Aquarium admission, so it’s a unique opportunity for families to see the largest bull sharks in captivity, stingrays, otters and many other fascinating aquatic creatures at a lower price. Members receive $1 off, and for even more savings, visit select BancFirst locations to receive an additional $1 off coupon while supplies last. HallowMarine is made possible by our sponsors BancFirst, Cox Communications and TulsaKids Magazine.
Shark Sculpture Unveiled
October 6, 2009
Three years ago, Oklahoma Aquarium Deputy Director Kenny Alexopoulos decided he was tired of seeing the barren marble base in the Aquarium entryway intended for a bronze sculpture that never materialized. “I’d heard enough that it looked like a sarcophagus, or get asked if someone was buried in there, it was starting to feel like bad karma not having something on it,” said Alexopoulos. So, the marine biologist with skills in handling sharks, turned to the internet to learn how to sculpt them. He found a tutorial on a process using rebar, foam and clay and determined he could turn his artistic talent, seen in multiple painted murals in the Aquarium, to something three dimensional. Alexopoulos worked on the sculpture, depicting three bull sharks, in his spare time over the course of three years. The sculpture has now been cast in bronze and will be displayed in front of the Aquarium. “It finally feels real, there’s just something about the permanence of bronze,” Alexopoulos said.
The clay creation was cast at the Land’s End Foundry in Paonia, Colorado and was made possible through generous support of the Oklahoma Aquarium Foundation Board of Directors. Special thanks go to James and Barbara Dunn, Dr. Dean and Vesta VanTrease, W.C. "Tiny" and Barbara Tomsen and Bill and Alice Halfacre. Although Alexopoulos’ sculpture is one-of-a-kind, there is the option to cast six more full size, and there are plans to produce a smaller version of one of the sharks as a limited edition bank. The dedication ceremony and unveiling of Alexopoulos’ shark sculpture took place at 11:00, Tuesday, October 6th in the Aquarium entry. The sculpture will be permanently mounted on the marble base.
New Exhibit Opening Thursday
July 27, 2009
The Oklahoma Aquarium is officially opening a new exhibit to the public on Thursday, July 30th at 10:00. The Reasor’s Shrimp Boat and Cove in the Biodiversity Gallery is complete with the sounds of seagulls squawking, and a brightly colored backdrop. The boat and adjoining tide pools house shrimp, horseshoe crabs, urchins and other animals to touch and feed. The Oklahoma Aquarium thanks Reasor’s for generously sponsoring the new exhibit, which carries a strong conservation message related to seafood and research. The renovation of the Biodiversity Gallery is the first half of a two year plan to update two Aquarium Galleries by introducing more interactive opportunities for guests. Construction will begin soon on enhancing the Adaptation Gallery which will include the addition of a crawl-through tank with acrylic “pop-ups” for children and adventurous adults to see eye-to-eye with fish from the Amazon. Meanwhile, work continues on additions to the Siegfried Families Shark Adventure and on fundraising to construct a sea turtle exhibit. Now in its seventh year of operation, the Oklahoma Aquarium is proud of this ongoing progress to offer new and improved exhibits for the enjoyment of our guests.
The Aquarium is a non-profit 501(c) 3 dedicated to the mission, Conservation Through Education.
Newly completed Reasor's Shrimp Boat
Truckin’ For Turtles Campaign Kick Off
July 15, 2009
Everyone has a piggy bank of some kind, maybe a jar or tin can filled with quarters, dimes and nickels. For two hours Saturday morning, you can bring that piggy bank for a new turtle tank at the Oklahoma Aquarium, and for your coin collection, you could win a new truck! The Truckin’ For Turtles campaign kicks off from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon, Saturday, July 18th in front of the Oklahoma Aquarium. The MidFirst Bank Mobile Coin Counter will be set up to accept donations, and MidFirst Bank will match a percentage of all money raised, to help the Oklahoma Aquarium Foundation build a new sea turtle exhibit. Everyone making a coin contribution during those two hours can enter a drawing to win a new Ford Ranger SuperCab provided by Bill Knight Ford. After the kick off coin collection, Truckin’ For Turtles tickets will be sold for $20 each or 6 for $100 at the Oklahoma Aquarium and other locations announced soon. A winner will be drawn at the Aquarium on Labor Day, September 7th. Other prizes include a private sleepover in the Aquarium and a special behind-the-scenes tour to see the turtles at feeding time.
The Oklahoma Aquarium has received a $500,000 challenge grant to build the $1.5 million sea turtle exhibit. The two, 200-pound Loggerhead Sea Turtles have been living behind-the-scenes, and waiting for a public exhibit since 2004. All sea turtles are either endangered or threatened, so it is the mission of the Oklahoma Aquarium Foundation, staff and volunteers to share these beautiful animals with visitors to foster greater appreciation and protection.
Governor-elect Fallin Arrives at the Oklahoma Aquarium
