Six completed Play Me, Tulsa pianos have been delivered and installed in public places around the Tulsa, Okla., community for the public to play and enjoy. Play Me, Tulsa debuted six pianos designed and painted by local school art departments to record crowds at Tulsa Mayfest from May 7-9.
Before the onset of the COVID-19 Pandemic in March of 2020, 13 public school art departments were invited to design and paint an upright piano provided by Saied Music Company. Due to the pandemic, Play Me, Tulsa was suspended for 2020.
While the slow roll back into live instruction in schools prevented some of the invited schools from completing their pianos, Play Me, Tulsa is excited to debut the work of those students who were able to complete theirs this spring.
“These pianos exemplify how the arts provide inspiration and healing in times of chaos, and they celebrate the
determination and resiliency of those that create through art and music, especially poignant this year,” said Kim Koch, vice president of Saied Music Company.
Participating schools for 2021 include Edison High School, Bixby High School, McClure Elementary School, Sapulpa High School, Webster High School and Owasso High School. Pianos were collected by Saied Music in preparation for this project. Local school art departments submitted a template with their own original design idea and colors needed to complete their vision. Anchor Paint provided all the paint needed for each painted piano.
Play Me, Tulsa pianos will be accessible to be played by the public at host locations until their removal at the end of the summer. Host locations include Kendall Whittier Square, Jenks Riverwalk, AHHA, STG Gelateria, North Mabee Tulsa Boys and Girls Clubs.
“We believe that art and music have the transformative power to unite, encourage, and inspire. Our goal is to provide a fun and impactful way to foster community engagement in both art and music. From the skilled pianist to the child who has never touched a piano key, we believe that all people in our community will enjoy and benefit from playing Play Me, Tulsa pianos,” say Koch.
Play Me, Tulsa is a project of Saied Music Company in partnership with Tulsa Mayfest and Anchor Paint Manufacturing.
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