Remembering Through Art
How high school students used art to connect to those who were killed in the Oklahoma City bombing 25 years later.
Every year, one way that the Oklahoma City National Memorial & Museum observes the anniversary of the Oklahoma City bombing is the 168 Days of Remembrance. Each day remembers one person killed. In 2020, media outlets across the state ran ads like this one in the Tulsa World.
Jennifer Brown holds painting by Oklahoma City National Memorial & MuseumOklahoma City National Memorial & Museum
The ads caught the attention of Jennifer Brown, a high school art teacher in Broken Arrow, Oklahoma. She saw the opportunity to use the 168 Days of Remembrance to teach her students about the bombing, connecting their generation to the magnitude of the loss.
Each student was asked to choose one of the 168 who were killed, to research that person and to create a work of art in their honor.
Jennifer Deal holds painting by Oklahoma City National Memorial & MuseumOklahoma City National Memorial & Museum
Soon other art teachers, the school and community—including an art framing store, who helped provide frames—joined the project, in an expression of the Oklahoma Standard of service, honor and kindness.
Their purpose was not to focus on the attack, but to honor how those who were killed lived.
Installing the Exhibit by Oklahoma City National Memorial & MuseumOklahoma City National Memorial & Museum
For the 26th bombing anniversary in 2021, all pieces of art were displayed in a special exhibit at the Oklahoma City National Memorial & Museum.
Remembering Through Art Exhibit by Oklahoma City National Memorial & MuseumOklahoma City National Memorial & Museum
The exhibit was called “Remembering Through Art.” It was on display until September 2021.
Family members of those who were killed previewed the exhibit the day before it opened. They wore masks due to health protocols as the COVID-19 pandemic continued. Survivor Polly Nichols visits with student Rhiannon Atkinson. Rhiannon painted a portrait of Polly’s cousin.
Remembering Through Art Exhibit by Oklahoma City National Memorial & MuseumOklahoma City National Memorial & Museum
As you view these pieces, you will gain understanding of how strongly the students connected – even 25 years later – with the person they chose. They illustrate empathy, compassion, and appreciation of the uniqueness in each person and the work of art created to honor them.
Explore Remembering Through Art:
Aleman - Booker
Bowers - Coverdale
Coyne - Genzer
Gigger-Driver - Ice
Jenkins - Luster
Maroney - Reyes
Ridley - Treanor
Turner - Youngblood
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