Pickens Learning Commons Opens at Northern Oklahoma College
NOC holds grand opening of the Pickens Learning Commons
The grand opening of the Pickens Learning Commons was held at the Vineyard Library-Administration Building at Northern Oklahoma College’s (NOC) Tonkawa location. The Tonkawa Chamber of Commerce was on hand to hold a ribbon cutting for the commons as well. Cutting the ribbon together are Hugh Pickens (holding the scissors) and NOC President Dr. Clark Harris (to the left of Pickens).
A grand opening and ribbon cutting ceremony was held for the Pickens Learning Commons located in the Vineyard Library-Administration Building at Northern Oklahoma College’s (NOC) Tonkawa location at 1220 East Grand Avenue on Wednesday, Oct. 12 at 3:30 pm.
The Pickens Learning Commons includes library services, the Cultural Engagement Center (CEC), testing center, tutoring services, career and transfer services, enhanced technology resources, distributed study space, as well as murals by artist Yatika Starr Fields and an art collection from the Hugh and Dr. S. J. Pickens Museum.
This partnership with Pickens and NOC began in 2020 when Hugh Pickens commissioned the 50 foot murals by Yatika Starr Fields in the Cultural Engagement Center at NOC. In April of this year, NOC President Dr. Clark Harris shared the vision of the Tonkawa library and a new contemporary student learning commons with the NOC Board of Regents.
“In doing research on libraries, we found that academic libraries are at a pivotal crossroads at this time. New technologies with the idea that digital resources are the way students now access, changing study habits, and the cost of maintaining a traditional library have just made a major influence on colleges and they had to make this kind of change,” said NOC President Dr. Clark Harris. “With this project, NOC has transformed the library into this amazing student experience.”
The Board of Regents approved the project as well as the naming of the facility. In June, the contract between NOC and the Pickens Museum was renewed, and Pickens commissioned two murals that total 100 foot by 20 foot, once again created by Yatika Starr Fields.
There are over 80 pieces of artwork on display in the Pickens Learning Commons, making it one of the most significant art collections on display at NOC.
The day of the grand opening also coincided with Hugh Pickens’ 73rd birthday with the NOC Roustabouts singing Pickens happy birthday and his favorite dessert: a crème brûlée cake.
“Art can broaden our knowledge, give us enjoyment, and challenge our assumptions. Art can also help soothe, calm, enlighten, and uplift our minds and spirits. Even art that leaves us uncomfortable can still help us to think differently and give us new perspectives,” said Hugh Pickens. “Art gives meaning to our lives and helps us understand our world. Art is an essential part of our culture because it allows us to have a deeper understanding of our emotions. It increases our self-awareness and allows us to be open to new ideas and experiences. Art continues to open our minds and our hearts, and shows us what can be possible in our world. Art can open our eyes to a bigger world out there, art can change your life.”
The Tonkawa Chamber of Commerce was on hand to hold a ribbon cutting for the commons to close out the event.
About Pickens Museum



Location and Hours of Operation
- Our Ponca City location
- Our Tonkawa location
- Our Coppercreek Location
- Our Woolaroc Location
- Our Future Location
Latest Stories about Pickens Museum
- Bronze statue from Pickens Museum to grace Osage Nation campus through the end of the year
- Pickens Learning Commons Opens at NOC Tonkawa
- Pickens Museum puts Monumental Sculpture on Display in Ponca City
- Woolaroc Announces New Exhibit Featuring the Collection of Dr. S. J. Pickens & Hugh Pickens
- Ponca City Monthly publishes story about Pickens Learning Commons at NOC
- Pickens Learning Commons Opens at NOC Tonkawa
- Pickens Museum Acquires "War Club" by Yatika Starr Fields January 20, 2022
Artists at Pickens Museum
- J. Chester Armstrong
- Bryant Baker
- Eugene Bavinger
- Jolene Bird
- Robin Bray
- Barbara Chase Riboud
- Sergey Chernomorets
- Charles Cordier
- Jo Davidson
- Andrew Scott DeJesse
- Donald De Lue
- Roger Disney
- Barbara Edwards
- Glen Edwards
- Jay Exon
- Yatika Starr Fields
- Espi Frazier
- John Dale Free
- John Free, Jr.
- Paul Gauguin
- Mitch Gyson
- Jeff Ham
- Robert Hardee
- Hugh Harrell Jr.
- K. Henderson
- Bri Hermanson
- Skip Hill
- Malvina Hoffman
- Kristen Hogue
- Varnette Honeywood
- Allan Houser
- Patrick Dean Hubbell
- Oreland Joe
- Catherine Jones
- Malvin Gray Johnson
- Rockwell Kent
- William Kilpatrick
- Tom Lea
- Becky Mannschreck
- John Manship
- Paul Manship
- Raoul Middleman
- Woodrow Nash
- Ed Natiya
- Clyde Otipoby
- Gene Pearson
- Pablo Picasso
- Daniel Pickens
- Erika Pochybova
- Charles Pratt
- Bill Rabbit
- Traci Rabbit
- Tanya Rafael
- Richard Recchia
- Faith Ringgold
- Josué Sánchez
- Fritz Scholder
- Stephen Schwark
- Isaac Shari
- Ralph Steadman
- Scott Storm
- Albert Wein
- C J Wells
Articles about Pickens Museum
2022
- Bronze statue from Pickens Museum to grace Osage Nation campus through the end of the year
- Pickens Learning Commons Opens at NOC Tonkawa
- Pickens Museum puts Monumental Sculpture on Display in Ponca City
- Woolaroc Announces New Exhibit Featuring the Collection of Dr. S. J. Pickens & Hugh Pickens
- Ponca City Monthly publishes story about Pickens Learning Commons at NOC
- Pickens Learning Commons Opens at NOC Tonkawa
- Pickens Museum Acquires "War Club" by Yatika Starr Fields January 20, 2022
2021
- Pickens Museum/NOC Mural Dedication Set for June 16th
- Yatika Starr Fields Completes Mural for Pickens Museum May 12, 2021
- Pickens Museum and NOC Announce Mural by Osage Artist Yatika Starr Fields May 5, 2021
- Osage Warrior in the Enemy Camp (Counting Coup) by John Free March 29, 2021
- Pickens Museum Displays Route 66 Murals by Robert Hardee March 29, 2021
- Pickens Museum Opens Exhibit of Sculpture by Donald De Lue at NOC March 24, 2021
- Pickens Museum partners with NOC February 23, 2021
2020
- Three Faces of the Pioneer Woman February 21, 2020
- Letter from a Birmingham Jail by Faith Ringgold February 21, 2020
- Exhibition: "Winter in New York" January 22, 2020
2019
2018
- The Turquoise Guitar by Jolene Bird November 26, 2018
- World's Largest Naja August 29, 2018
- A 1949 Hudson Limousine August 29, 2018
- Meet the Museum Design Team May 21, 2018
- A Ponca City Mystery April 5, 2018
- Tonya Rafael Visits Ponca City February 2018
2015 and before
- Sculptor Bryant Baker's Lost Masterpiece November 3, 2015
- Pioneer Woman Models Come Home February 26, 2010
- Pioneer Woman Models Should Return to Ponca City July 13, 2007
About Pickens Museum
Contact
hughpickens@gmail.com