Norman’s creativity doesn’t stay inside gallery walls.
You’ll find it in parks, along trails, and in places you might not expect. Public art plays a visible role in shaping the city’s shared spaces, adding meaning, context, and moments of pause along the way.
Many of these works were made possible through Norman Forward, a voter-approved initiative that invests in parks, libraries, trails, and public art. As part of that effort, one percent of each project is dedicated to public art, resulting in installations that reflect both the character of Norman and the artists behind them.
Start here and see how art shows up across Norman.
Splash
December 2017 • Westwood Family Aquatic Center
Mark Aeling, Florida
Inspired by the movement of water, this sculpture captures the energy of a splash, frozen in time.
This work continues an exploration of how we perceive form, materials, and motion. It offers a literal representation of a ball striking water, while drawing from elements of the Westwood facilities and the activity that surrounds them. The result is a piece that feels both grounded in its setting and visually dynamic for visitors passing through.
Prairie Wind
July 2018 • Norman Public Library East
James Johnson, Illinois
Inspired by the movement of wind across the prairie, this steel sculpture interacts with light and shadow, shifting in appearance throughout the day.
At approximately 14 feet in height, the work was designed to align with the sun’s path on the summer solstice. Crossing art and science, it encourages viewers to pause, reflect, and become more aware of their surroundings as light and shadow move across its surface.
Unbound
July 2019 • Norman Public Library Central
Paul Cocksedge Studio, London
This sculptural installation transforms books into a striking visual form, celebrating curiosity and the power of ideas.
Characterized by a sensitivity to context and history, the piece responds to the library’s dual nature as both a traditional source of knowledge and a space for new technologies and ways of learning. Dozens of illuminated “pages” are suspended as if caught in a breeze, creating a moment that feels both unexpected and connected to the space.
Triptych
December 2020 • Ruby Grant Park
Valerie Théberge, Washington D.C.
These handcrafted mosaic forms showcase vibrant tilework and sculptural design, creating a space that’s both art and a place to gather.
The three sculptures stand together as a multi-functional installation, with the largest featuring a meditative opening that acts as a focal point. Arranged to face one another, they create a shared environment that can be experienced as an outdoor classroom or gathering space. Inspired by the spirit of Ruby Grant, the work reflects a sense of curiosity, learning, and connection to the natural surroundings.
In Their Words
November 2022 • Andrews Park
M.J. Alexander, Oklahoma City
Built around real stories and lived experiences, this installation highlights the voices of Norman community members.
An immersive series of quotes placed along the walkways of Andrews Park, the piece celebrates the people of Norman by bringing community voices into public space. Each quote reflects a lived experience, creating something that feels both personal and meaningful as visitors move through the park.
Featuring: Rhonda Baldwin, Dr. George Henderson, Hoda Kotb, James Auchiah, Doris Eaton Travis, Nadia Comaneci and Vince Gill
Mechan 14
December 2023 • Reaves Park
Tyler Fuqua Creations, Portland
A giant, robot-inspired sculpture with interchangeable elements, this piece brings a playful, ever-changing presence to the park.
Standing 15 feet tall, the sculpture conveys a message of joy, play, and year-round memories in Reaves Park. As the first giant robot in Norman, it offers a dynamic presence, with interchangeable parts that allow it to transform over time, giving visitors something new to discover with each visit.
Elevate the Game
February 2024 • Young Family Athletic Center
DiBari & Associates, Miami and Milan
Featuring figures from multiple sports, this piece reflects the energy and movement of competition.
The sculpture honors the vision of the Young Family Athletic Center by expressing the qualities of basketball, volleyball, and swimming through motion. Using an interwoven series of lines, the work creates a visual sense of dynamism and kinetic energy, forming athletes at the apex of their movement while drawing from the official colors of the City of Norman.
Revolutions
August 2024 • Flood Avenue Roundabout
Paul Bagley, Oklahoma City
This circular sculpture plays on the idea of constant motion, from daily life to the patterns that shape it.
The piece has multiple meanings and origins and is meant to provoke curiosity and wonder. Influenced in part by research at the Advanced Radar Research Center at OU, it reflects symmetry, cycles, and the movement that surrounds us, inviting visitors to interpret it in their own way.
WindRose
July 2024 • Griffin Park
Project One Studio, Indianapolis
Inspired by a compass rose, this sculpture reflects movement, direction, and a sense of place within the landscape.
Wind is a floating wave of air whose undulations continually vary. This sculpture explores the ever-changing forces of wind and the connection between Norman’s natural environment and Griffin Park. The constant movement of air, sometimes barely noticeable and other times turbulent, reminds us that we are all connected by nature. Drawing from Norman’s Windrose plot as a generator of form, color, and site-specific integration, the piece becomes a symbol of both movement and connection, encouraging visitors to pause and take in the landscape around them.
Onwards
December 2024 • Adult Wellness and Education Center
Skunk Control, Melbourne, Australia
A butterfly-inspired sculpture that shifts color as light moves across its surface, changing throughout the day.
Designed to interact with both natural and artificial light, this work draws on phenomena found in nature to create transformative colored vistas. As light shifts, the sculpture casts evolving hues across the surrounding space, creating an immersive, kinetic experience that feels almost like watercolor brought to life.
Explore More
Many of these works are located near parks, trails, and gathering spaces, making it easy to turn your visit into a self-guided public art experience.
Take your time, explore a few at a time, and see how art shows up across Norman.
View the full public art map at normanarts.org/public-art.
