Tulsa’s “First Thursday” features artist Sonia Sniderman

“In the paintings in this exhibit, I try to portray the somewhat off-kilter universe of my inner vision," said artist Sonia Sniderman. Her work is featured in December's OkEq First Thursday exhibit, which opens Dec. 3. Photo provided.

The December Oklahomans for Equality First Thursday reception and exhibit will feature the works of Sonia Sniderman in a show beginning with a reception on Thursday, December 3 from 6-9 p.m. and continuing throughout the month.

Sonia Sniderman graduated from the University of Michigan with a major in art. She has worked as an art teacher, illustrator and as a computer programmer and analyst. She has exhibited in local and regional juried shows in Oklahoma, Arkansas and Michigan. While teaching art in Michigan, she won a purchase prize from the Michigan Education association. Her work is in private and corporate collections. Her current paintings are a combination of traditional figure painting and a touch of the surreal.

“I have been influenced by many artists over the years,” said the artist. “I was trained to be an abstract painter and some of that still lingers in my painting. I am attracted to the beautiful drawing line and dramatically cropped compositions of Degas and Toulouse-Lautrec. I admire the vision of the Contemporary Realists. I've also been influenced by the bleak light-drenched interiors in Edward Hopper's paintings of people.

“In the paintings in this exhibit, I try to portray the somewhat off-kilter universe of my inner vision. This is a world where the mystery, wonder, menace, and absurdity of existence is represented by animal and bird images juxtaposed with serene young men or women lost in their private thoughts.”

The show begins with a reception at the Dennis R. Neill Equality Center (621 E. 4th Street in downtown Tulsa) on Thursday, December 3 from 6-9 p.m. There will be a door prize drawn of the artist’s work; the show continues throughout the month. www.okeq.org.

Oklahomans for Equality/OkEq is Oklahoma’s oldest gay rights organization. From testing for HIV/AIDS, operating the Equality Center, documenting the Tulsa LGBT community’s rich history and hosting the annual Tulsa Pride and Diversity Celebration, OkEq works for social justice and full inclusion for Oklahoma’s LGBT citizens and their allies.

The Gayly – November 30, 2015 @ 9:10 a.m.