OKPOP Unveils New Film & TV Collection Items During November’s First Friday Scavenger Hunt
Earlier this month, we turned the Tulsa Arts District into a playground of movie magic and Oklahoma adventure. During the First Friday Art Crawl, hundreds of visitors participated in the OKPOP-IN Scavenger Hunt, racing through the district to uncover brand-new film and TV artifacts, each tied to Oklahomans whose creative impact extends far beyond state lines.
A Night That Shows What OKPOP is All About
“This event showed exactly why OKPOP exists,” said Jake Krumwiede, executive director of OKPOP. “When families are laughing over clues, discovering that an Oklahoman helped shape their favorite character, or hearing a song they didn’t know came from here? That’s magic. Nights like this remind us we’re not just building a museum…we’re building a movement to celebrate Oklahoma creativity.”
This night wouldn’t have been possible without the incredible businesses and organizations that hosted clues and welcomed scavenger hunters through their doors. A huge thank-you to our Tulsa Arts District partners who participated and brought the experience to life. Their enthusiasm, hospitality, and support helped bring the love of OKPOP to the district.
OKPOP’s Newest Acquisitions
Below are the eight featured artifacts revealed throughout the scavenger hunt and now a part of the OKPOP archives.
Tulsa’s Mark Radcliffe helped steer the Harry Potter films as a longtime producing partner. A Booker T. Washington graduate, Radcliffe quietly shaped some of Hollywood’s most beloved storytelling, from Home Alone to Mrs. Doubtfire, proving Oklahoma magic runs deep.
Lawton native Stephen Hillenburg, creator of SpongeBob SquarePants, blended marine biology and hand-drawn humor into a global phenomenon. His first character sketches appeared on hand-painted postcards, a reminder that world-changing ideas often begin small.
Oklahoma fingerprints are all over Gremlins:
- Duncan’s Hoyt Axton plays the tinkering dad
- Tulsan Tony Randall voices the Brain Gremlin in the sequel
- Tulsan William F. Matthews helped shape the film’s set world
Oklahoma-born Jeremy Latcham went from unpaid Marvel intern to producer of Avengers: Age of Ultron and Guardians of the Galaxy. Marvel even canonically placed “New Asgard” in Broxton, Oklahoma, cementing the state’s place in superhero history.
From McAlester to Disney legend, Mary Blair transformed animation with bold color and modern design, leaving her mark on classic films, theme park worlds, and an entire visual era.
Stillwater native James Marsden went from Oklahoma school musicals to global stardom. His performance as Cyclops reflects a grounded leadership style rooted in Midwestern values.
Planet of the Apes Gorilla Costume
McAlester-born screenwriter Michael Wilson co-wrote the 1968 classic Planet of the Apes, as well as The Bridge on the River Kwai and A Place in the Sun—each an enduring piece of cinematic history.
Tulsa’s Heather Langenkamp, star of A Nightmare on Elm Street, later became a leading makeup effects producer. Her studio’s work includes Star Trek Into Darkness and Guillermo del Toro’s Cabinet of Curiosities—a perfect example of the creativity OKPOP was built to honor.
Additional Items on Display in the OKPOP Vault
First Friday visitors and participants who completed the hunt were also invited into the OKPOP Vault to see these additional film and TV items up close:
- Starship Troopers Body Armor – Featuring contributions from Tulsan Gary Waller, Rue McClanahan, and actor Marshall Bell
- Where the Wild Things Are – Monster Maquette – Designed by Oklahoma production designer K.K. Barrett
- Batman Animated Series Original Cel – Including work from Tulsan Bruce Timm, the creator of Harley Quinn
- Star Trek Tribble – Celebrating dozens of Oklahomans connected to the franchise
- Apocalypse Now Producer Megaphone – Used by producer Doug Claiborne; OKC’s Gray Frederickson also produced the film
- New Filmed-in-Oklahoma Items – Helen Hunt’s costume from Twister and Anna’s wedding coat from Killers of the Flower Moon
A Preview of What’s Coming to OKPOP
Events like this give just a glimpse of the stories, artistry, and Oklahoma-born creativity that will eventually fill the OKPOP Museum. Thank you to everyone who came out, searched for clues, and celebrated the incredible Oklahomans behind the world’s favorite characters and films.
Stay tuned for more collection reveals, community events, and ways to connect with OKPOP as we work toward opening our doors.
