The Future of Our Past
The OKPOP Foundation has officially completed the $18 million Heart & Soul Campaign, and the State Treasurer has now approved and certified the pledges, releasing the state’s matching funds. This milestone marks the beginning of OKPOP’s next chapter: exhibit design, fabrication, and the build-out of Oklahoma’s first museum dedicated to the global creative impact of its people.
Hello Friends and Potential Donors,
“You know, this whole campaign wasn’t just about raising $18 million – it was about backing a mission that means something. OKPOP is here to celebrate the crazy amount of creativity that comes out of Oklahoma, to tell the stories of the folks who shaped music, film, and art, and to fire up the next generation to chase their own big dreams. The way people showed up to support this blows me away. Oklahoma should be proud of what’s coming.”
Honorary Campaign Chair
Happy SpongeBob Day! 🍍🧽🌊
July 14 marks SpongeBob SquarePants’ birthday, and today we’re celebrating Stephen Hillenburg, the Oklahoma-born creator who brought Bikini Bottom to life.
Born at Fort Sill in Lawton, Hillenburg combined his love of marine biology, art, and animation to create a world that has inspired laughter, imagination, and plenty of nautical nonsense for generations.
From the OKPOP vault, here are a few selections of concept art from the show, offering a glimpse into the creativity behind one of pop culture’s most beloved characters.
#SpongeBobDay #StephenHillenburg #SpongeBobSquarePants #OklahomaPopCulture #OKPOP
Some voices don’t just sing songs. They sing truth.
Jimmy LaFave carried the spirit of Oklahoma wherever he went, blending folk, rock, and Red Dirt into music that was honest, soulful, and deeply human. A devoted interpreter of Woody Guthrie’s work, Jimmy often said, “Bob Dylan and Woody are my two main touchstones for me.” Those influences echoed throughout a career that helped shape generations of songwriters.
Over a decade ago, OKPOP had the privilege of sitting down with Jimmy to preserve his story for the Oklahoma state archive. Looking back on his life in music, he reflected, “It’s been a really rich musical life… My favorite things have just been picking in the parking lot… or just being with my band playing a gig somewhere.” It was a simple reminder that, for Jimmy, the greatest moments weren’t always the biggest stages. They were the friendships, the songs, and the shared love of making music.
Jimmy also spoke with deep pride about Oklahoma’s creative community, the Red Dirt movement, and mentors like Bob Childers, whose songwriting circle inspired countless artists. He understood that music wasn’t just about performance. It was about lifting others up and leaving something meaningful behind.
Today, we remember Jimmy LaFave and celebrate a life devoted to songs, storytelling, and the enduring power of community. His voice continues to inspire, and we’re honored to help preserve it for future generations.
#OKPOP #JimmyLaFave #RedDirt #OklahomaMusic #OralHistory @jimmylafaveofficial
Every movie stunt tells two stories.
One happens on screen. The other happens behind the scenes, where preparation, precision, and trust make the impossible look effortless.
We recently welcomed Oklahoma stunt performer and stunt coordinator Jon Bielich to OKPOP to record an oral history interview for the Oklahoma state archive. From doubling actors in major productions like Killers of the Flower Moon to helping shape Oklahoma’s growing film industry, Jon shared the craft, discipline, and teamwork behind a career built on keeping others safe while bringing stories to life.
As Jon put it:
“Hope’s not a strategy. You want to be certain about everything, so the more you train, the more you know, the more you work at it, the safer everybody is, including yourself.”
At OKPOP, we’re proud to preserve the stories of the people whose work often happens just outside the spotlight, but whose contributions are essential to the magic of film.
Thank you, Jon, for helping us preserve your story for future generations.
#OKPOP #OklahomaFilm #StuntPerformer #OralHistory #OklahomaCreatives @okcjb
Remembering Jerry Nelson
Today we celebrate the birthday of Oklahoma native Jerry Nelson, one of the most beloved performers in puppetry history.
From bringing Count von Count, Gobo Fraggle, Robin the Frog, and countless other unforgettable characters to life, Jerry helped shape generations of childhoods through warmth, humor, music, and extraordinary imagination. His performances reminded us that behind every memorable character is a storyteller with heart.
At OKPOP, we’re honored to preserve and share part of Jerry’s creative legacy through the Jerry Nelson Archive, helping ensure his remarkable contributions to popular culture continue to inspire future generations of artists, performers, and dreamers.
Happy Birthday, Jerry. Thank you for the joy, wonder, and stories that continue to bring smiles to people around the world.
#JerryNelson #FraggleRock #TheMuppets #OKPOPMuseum #OklahomaCreators
Today we remember Oklahoma music pioneer Joe Liggins, whose infectious blend of jump blues, swing, rhythm & blues, and boogie-woogie helped lay the foundation for the sound of early rock and roll.
Born in Seminole, Oklahoma, Liggins rose to national fame with his band, The Honeydrippers, creating some of the biggest rhythm and blues hits of the 1940s. Their 1945 recording “The Honeydripper” spent an extraordinary 18 weeks at No. 1 on the R&B charts, while “Cadillac Boogie” is considered by many to be one of the first rock and roll songs, helping shape the sound of a new musical era.
From Oklahoma to dance halls and jukeboxes across America, Joe Liggins proved that music rooted in joy, groove, and innovation could change popular culture.
His music opened doors for generations of artists, and his legacy continues to echo through the history of American music.
#JoeLiggins #OklahomaMusic #RhythmAndBlues #OKPOP #OklahomaHistory
🎮 Happy Video Game Day!
From neighborhood arcades and home computers to some of the world’s biggest blockbuster franchises, Oklahoma has helped shape the games we play.
Tulsa-based 2015, Inc. helped develop both Medal of Honor: Allied Assault and the original Call of Duty, with Oklahoman Chance Glasco serving as one of the studio’s key developers and later a co-founder of Infinity Ward. Writer and producer Jeff “Lazlow” Jones helped create the unforgettable worlds of Grand Theft Auto and Red Dead Redemption. Long before today’s gaming industry, Tulsa’s Greg Zumwalt was helping pioneer the home computer era through his work with Tandy, developing and producing games for the TRS-80 and later contributing to titles including Tetris, RoboCop, Predator, Michael Jordan in Flight, and many more.
That creative legacy continues today through Oklahoma-connected studios and companies like GoldFire Studios, Megalithic Mainframe, and Boddle Learning, building new worlds through indie games, interactive storytelling, and educational gaming.
Video games are one of the world’s most collaborative art forms, blending storytelling, music, illustration, animation, filmmaking, acting, programming, design, and imagination into experiences that connect millions of people around the globe.
At OKPOP, we’re proud to celebrate the Oklahomans who have helped shape this creative legacy and inspire the next generation of game designers, artists, writers, composers, programmers, and storytellers.
What’s your favorite video game of all time?
#OKPOP #VideoGameDay #OklahomaCreators #GamingHistory #CreateAnyway
From Tulsa to the global stage. 🌎✨
We had so much fun connecting with artist AleXa to talk about the journey that took her from Tulsa to becoming a K-pop star with fans around the world.
During our conversation, AleXa reflected on her Oklahoma roots, sharing how her time in Jenks High School’s show choir and pom program helped lay the foundation for her career. She spoke about the work ethic, perseverance, and determination she developed growing up in Oklahoma, and how those lessons continue to guide her today.
She also shared how much her fans mean to her, emphasizing the importance of genuine connection and the support they’ve given her throughout her career.
In 2022, AleXa proudly represented Oklahoma on NBC’s American Song Contest with her original song “Wonderland,” ultimately winning the competition and introducing millions of viewers to an artist whose journey began right here at home.
We’re grateful to help preserve and share stories like AleXa’s—stories that remind us Oklahoma’s creative influence reaches every corner of the world.
#OKPOP #Oklahoma #AleXa #KPop #Storytelling @seriinade_
Have you heard the story behind Woody Guthrie`s This Land is Your Land? Here is a clip from the Voices of Oklahoma project, with John Erling interviewing Dr. Guy Logsdon on February 16, 2010. Logsdon was the director of libraries at the University of Tulsa and an academic authority on Woody Guthrie`s life and music, along with other subjects like Oklahoma folk music, western swing, western folklore, and much more.
To hear more from Dr. Logsdon`s oral history, and hundreds of others like it, you can visit the Voices of Oklahoma website.
Donate
Your charitable donation directly contributes to OKPOP’s future, we are grateful for your support! Donations to support the OKPOP Museum may be made to the OKPOP Foundation, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. Donations are tax deductible as allowed by law.
Donations may be made through the secure online donation form or mailed to:
OKPOP Foundation
422 North Main Street
Tulsa, Oklahoma 74103
If you have questions about additional gifting options, please contact Abby Kurin at akurin@okpopfoundation.org
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