FROM GRATITUDE TO GROWTH: SHAPING THE FUTURE OF 1515LG TOGETHER
By Susan McCalmonT
With the year coming to an end, I’ve been reflecting on the many moments that filled 1515 Lincoln Gallery with meaning, both big and small. Gratitude feels like the natural place to start. This year has been one filled with beauty, creativity, resilience, and community in ways that have surprised and moved me. Every day at the gallery reminds me that art is never just an object on the wall - it’s a bridge, a shared language, and sometimes even a lifeline.
Some of the most meaningful moments were those that revealed how the power of art can lift spirits and help us through periods of grief and loss. Time and again, I’ve seen how creativity connects us in ways that transcend culture and circumstances.
A Community That Spans the Globe
One of the great joys of 2025 has been witnessing relationships grow across continents. Whether through Zoom conversations or collaborative exhibitions, our international and local artists reminded me that we’re all human, sharing the same humanity.
This shared understanding is what inspired me to pursue more collaborative exhibitions this year and in the years to come. Art has the extraordinary power to transcend time, geography, style, and more, and our artists embody that truth beautifully.
Today, 1515 is proud to represent 60 consigned artists from around the world. We welcomed many new voices this year – Kevin Stark, Matt Goad, Nasim Nekubakht, Terry Richardson, Doug Bauer, Brian Bosworth, Eve Cornejo, Joe Slack, Marie Weltzenheimer, and Edwin Weitz – each bringing their own creativity and stories.
In addition to expanding our roster, we’ve deepened our curatorial approach through partnerships with guest curators, such as Elizabeth Wiley, Bojan, and John Wolfe. Their perspectives enriched our exhibitions and created new opportunities for dialogue. We also had the privilege of in-person visits from artists like ArmanH and Hasina Amiq with the Afghan Project. Their presence here in Oklahoma City was not only meaningful but also transformative for all of us who had the chance to learn from their experiences.
ry’s proudest achievements this year has been supporting the Afghan Women’s Resource Center in Kabul, which now supports 14 women and their daughters. They create garments, jewelry, handmade textiles, and more for the gallery, with all proceeds benefiting them directly. Their resilience has been a reminder of art’s ability to empower and connect across borders.
Three Years of Resilience and Renewal
As 1515 passes its third year, I am deeply grateful for the milestones we’ve achieved together. We established the 1515 Bistro as a welcoming place for lunches and catered events. We’ve nurtured a community that seeks art, culinary delights, music, poetry, and inspiration within our walls. With flexibility and determination, we’ve sustained a gallery in a time when many cannot.
Our 105-year-old building has certainly kept us on our toes. Just this year, a major challenge was discovering compromised cast-iron sewer lines that required a full underground replacement, necessitating a two-week closure. Rising shipping costs and shifting political realities abroad have added further complexity. Through it all, however, the steady support of this community has made every challenge surmountable.
Shaping 2026 With Intention and Imagination
As I look toward 2026, I feel energized by what lies ahead. Our team of staff, artists, curators, and collaborators will keep creating thematic exhibitions. Later, in April and May, we’ll host a significant show of work by German Expressionist painter and printmaker Otto Neumann, from his estate collection.
We’re expanding our programming to include wine tastings and dinners with Scott Hale of Southwest Art Advisory, offering new ways to connect art with sensory experience. I remain hopeful that travel will become easier, allowing us to resume visiting our artists’ studios around the world and welcoming more of them here in Oklahoma City. ArmanH’s visit earlier this year was profoundly enriching and was a poignant reminder of why moments like these exchanges matter.
Furthermore, we’re also growing our internal team, and I’m extremely excited to welcome Kelsey Smith to the 1515 LG team. Originally from Oklahoma, she recently returned after studying and working in Arkansas, where she earned a double major in Art History and Studio Art from the University of Arkansas. Her experience with the university gallery and her own creative practice brings incredible experience and depth to our team.
Kelsey has walked through her own season of loss this year, and she understands the healing power of art. I feel grateful to have someone with her heart and perspective join us as we step into the year ahead.
Your Voice Matters in What Comes Next
As grateful as I am for what we’ve built, I know the future of 1515 LG must be shaped together. This gallery belongs to everyone who finds meaning within its walls. I want to stay attentive to the needs of our community and offer programs that inspire and educate.
To share your ideas, I invite you to take a moment to complete a brief end-of-year survey, which will be sent to you soon. Your feedback will help guide our programs and events in 2026 and continue shaping our gallery into a space where creativity thrives.
Thank you for supporting us through another incredible year. I’m truly grateful for this community and excited to see what we create together next.
