Colorful Journeys: Exploring Oklahoma City’s Murals with Your Little Ones
Colorful Journeys: Exploring Oklahoma City’s Murals with Your Little Ones
Join us on an enchanting adventure through Oklahoma City’s streets, where every corner is a canvas showcasing the city’s vibrant public art. This guide is designed for families with young children, particularly those on the autism spectrum, offering a sensory-rich exploration of Oklahoma City’s most captivating murals.
The Magic of Murals
Understanding Murals and Autism
Murals, with their vast canvases and vivid imagery, are more than just art; they’re doorways to wonder and imagination. For children on the autism spectrum, these large-scale paintings offer visual stimulation that can be both engaging and soothing. Child development experts and autism therapists often recommend exposure to such artistic environments, as they can aid in cognitive and emotional growth.
Mural Destinations in Oklahoma City
The 9th Street Braid – 9th Street off Broadway., Oklahoma City
A collaboration of Dylan Bradway, Yatika Starr Fields, and Kristopher Kanaly, this mural symbolizes the cultural diversity of Oklahoma City, blending three unique artistic styles into a harmonious braid.
Bricktown Okctopus -429 E. California Avenue, Oklahoma City
Jack Fowler’s whimsical 200-foot-long octopus, Robert Paulson, contains 88 hidden images, offering a playful scavenger hunt for visitors.
Contact Light – 5600 N. Western Avenue, Oklahoma City
Created by Jerrod Smith, this ethereal mural features a floating figure against a geometric backdrop, evoking the vastness of the universe.
Fortune Favors The Brave – 4416 N. Western Avenue, Oklahoma City
Julie “Juuri” Robertson’s mural, adorned with kimono-style florals and scissor-tailed flycatchers, reflects the resilience and kindness of Oklahomans.
Oklahoma Aiukli – 3704 N. Western Avenue, Oklahoma City
A tribute to Oklahoma’s beauty and heritage by Erin Cooper, Amanda Zoey, and Lauren Miller, featuring Bella Aiukli, a 13-year-old Choctaw girl.
Preparing for Your Mural Adventure
Tips for Parents
Best Times to Visit: Mornings or late afternoons to avoid crowds.
What to Bring: Snacks, water, sun protection, and sensory toys.
Creating a Sensory-Friendly Experience: Allow your child to explore at their own pace and consider bringing noise-canceling headphones for city sounds.
Activity Ideas
Encourage your child to engage with the art through a mural scavenger hunt, looking for specific colors, shapes, or elements like the hidden images in the Bricktown Okctopus.
Discovering Oklahoma City’s murals can be a delightful and enriching experience for your family. We hope this guide inspires memorable art-filled adventures and helps you appreciate the beauty of public art together.
About the Authors
Autism Learning Collaborative is a leading provider of ABA therapy in Omaha, Albuquerque, Oklahoma City, and St. Louis to children ages 18 months and up. We understand the difficulty of dealing with uncertainty and are prepared to assist you with our collaborative developmental therapy support. Autism Learning Collaborative employs a team of Board Certified Behavior Analysts (BCBAs) and Registered Behavior Technicians (RBT) that can assist you with resources to help comfort your child during stressful times. We include parent training as collaborative support for the whole family. If you need more information, don’t hesitate to call (844) 978-3852 or contact us at info@autismlearningcollaborative.com with your questions or to enroll. We accept most insurance plans and offer full and part time programs as well as in-home therapy options with no waitlist.