Battle of Round Mountain

Betty Ann Price (née Durham; February 27, 1931 – October 23, 2023) was an American music teacher, art director, and ambassador. She was the executive director of the Oklahoma Arts Council from 1983 until her retirement in 2007.^[1] During her time as executive director, Price worked with eight different Oklahoma governors. Price served as an arts advisor to states, non-profit organizations, and a number of boards. She was inducted into the Oklahoma Women's Hall of Fame in 1985, among many other awards and recognitions.^[2]

Early life

The daughter of Wilson and Elizabeth Durham,^[1] Betty Price was born in Booneville, Arkansas, in 1931^[3] and lived with her family in Shawnee, Oklahoma, and El Paso, Texas, before they moved to Muskogee, Oklahoma, where she began attending school. During her grade school years, Price enjoyed fine arts and journalism. When she was in second grade, Price learned how to play the piano and later became involved with the school newspaper, an activity that would follow her into her college years.

Education

After graduating from high school, Price attended Northeastern State University, where she received a scholarship and became the editor of the college newspaper. She graduated from NSU with a degree in music education. While at Northeastern State University, Price met her husband, Norris Allen Price.^[4] The two dated through their sophomore year and married after he returned from Japan after serving a year in the National Guard.

Early career

Upon graduating with her degree, Price upskilled her first year in Norman, Oklahoma, teaching at two separate schools every day. During her second year, Price coached second grade in Del City, Oklahoma, and her husband, Norris, began his career in real estate. After two years of teaching, Price was pregnant with her first child and then started teaching piano lessons while she raised her newborn. When a neighbor of the family, John L. Garrett, was elected to the Oklahoma Senate in 1964, Price went to work for him as a typist. As she began to bring artwork into the officse, other senators came to her, asking for art for their offices. This led to a friendship with former governor George Nigh, lieutenant-governor at the time, allowing her to work part-time for him.

Oklahoma Arts Council

Price began to work as a secretary and artist for lieutenant-governor George Nigh. Price painted all of the state emblems along with other projects as directed by Nigh. During legislative sessions, Price would take a week off and participate in the Festival of the Arts in Oklahoma City. At this festival, Price met the director of the Oklahoma Arts Council (then called the Oklahoma Arts and Humanities Council), and he asked her to work for them full-time. In 1974, Price joined the Oklahoma Arts Council as the public information director and State Capitol liaison. Price began contracting artists to bring more artwork to the Capitol. In 1983, Price became the executive director of the Oklahoma Arts Council after the five male directors retired.

As the director, Price's main goal was to increase awareness and funding for the arts all over the state of Oklahoma.^[5] Price helped to expand the position with her interest in the visual arts and the Capitol. She was able to get legislation written to establish a Capitol Preservation Commission. The Oklahoma Arts Council was the first state agency to go online with the coming of the technological age due to Price's staff, which gave the public a greater chance to get involved with the arts. Price was made responsible for commissioning artwork and murals that improved the bare Capitol walls. Price aided in the commissioning of Mike Larsen to paint "Flight of the Spirit," a mural painted on the rotunda that honored all five of Oklahoma's American Indian world-class ballerinas.^[6] Five years later, the ballerinas were brought back to the Capitol to be named Cultural Treasures, an award developed during Price's time as Director of the Arts Council. Galleries were also created in the State Capitol during Price's time on the council. A gallery on the first floor is reserved for changing exhibits, another for photography, and in 2008, a gallery for the State Art Collection was named the Betty Price Gallery in her honor.^[7][8]

Retirement and death

Price remained busy supporting the arts. She was involved with the Red Earth Advisory Board as well as the Indian Museum and Cultural Center Board.^[9] Aside from her involvement with the arts, Price spent time with her husband Norris, their children, and grandchildren. Norris Price died in December 2019.^[10]

Betty Price died on October 23, 2023, in Oklahoma City.^[11][12]

Awards and recognition

Throughout her lengthy career, Price was honored with numerous awards and recognition, including:^[2]

• Oklahoma Women's Hall of Fame inductee (1985)
• Red Earth Ambassador of the Year (2006)
• State Arts Agency Director of the Year by the National Assembly of State Art Agencies in Washington, D.C. (2000)
• Newsmaker Award from the Tulsa chapter of the Association of Women in Communications (2004)
• Named Women of Influence by Oklahoma magazine
• Named Honored One at the Oklahoma Indian Sovereignty Symposium (1999)
• Chickasaw Nation Governor's Award (1999)
• Centennial Woman of Distinction from the Sigma Sigma Sigma sorority (1998)
• National Alumna Award from the Sigma Sigma Sigma Sorority
• Northeastern State University Homecoming Honoree (2009)
• Betty Price Scholarship named at Northeastern State University
• "Life, Legacy and Light" Award by the Oklahoma Israel Exchange (2010)^[13]
• Del City Hall of Fame (1983)^[14]

References

External links

• Oklahoma Women's Hall of Fame Oral History Project -- OSU Library
• "Arts Elevate City, State" -- The Oklahoman
• "Celebrating arts community" -- The Oklahoman