Weathering Oklahoma
The Weathering Oklahoma Project involved the participation of Oklahomans in all 77 counties, to create an art piece that depicts weather variations across the state.
During tornado season, every aspect of an Oklahoman’s life is influenced by the weather. When watching local TV, there is commonly an image of the state of Oklahoma in the corner of the screen with counties highlighted in shades of green, blue, yellow and red, warning the public of heavy rains, flooding, thunderstorms, and tornadoes. It is interesting to me this map of Oklahoma and its counties never changes. The political boundaries that humans have created to serve as a sense of place remain constant and recognizable, maintaining a feeling of familiarity and safety. However in reality the impact that deadly weather has on this land can dramatically alter the landscape, causing streets to become unrecognizable because familiar landmarks are no longer there for way finding. To further this conversation, I have used sheets of 20 gauge steel to cut the shape of each of the 77 counties in Oklahoma. Each county has a rod welded to the back, which was converted into a stake. I contacted people that reside in each of the counties and formed an itinerary to travel through Oklahoma to each county to install each stake. Each stake was at full exposure to the weather, and facing the appropriate cardinal direction of the actual county for three months, then returned to me via pre-paid postage. The resulting piece provides a new perspective on how the weather actually affects the land across the state. Weathering Oklahoma was purchased by the National Weather Center in Norman, OK in December of 2021 and is available for viewing in their main lobby during open hours.
Map of Weathering Oklahoma expedition. Each color change along the route indicates a new day of the journey. The expedition took 13 days and over 3,500 miles to complete.
It was important to personally install each stake, because the journey was a crucial part of this project. This expedition took 13 days and over 3,500 miles to complete and documentation was a necessary component. My husband and I filmed the entirety of the journey, interviewing Oklahomans across the state. We have 100's of hours of footage from across the state, in hopes that a full-length documentary film can be formed. The various contacts interviewed were asked where they take shelter during a tornado, what supplies they have handy, and what memorable moments they have had with the weather in their area. The purpose of this documentary would be to showcase the diverse beauty of Oklahoma’s landscape and culture as we travel through the state, braving her infamous Spring storm season.
Insight on the life of an Oklahoman during tornado season is truly unique and worthy of sharing with those unaware of the precautions necessary to stay safe.
The counties were left exposed to the elements from March until June. Many of the contacts sent photos of the progress of their stake. During this short period of time, the stakes were exposed to drastic temperature and humidity changes, as well as strong winds, hail, and even snow in some locations.
The map below depicts all the tornadoes in Oklahoma between March 23rd and June 3rd, 2016. There were 70 tornadoes during this time period. One county was relocated due to a tornado. Although bent and rusted, it was recovered and returned to complete the sculpture.
Data courtesy of Andrew Dean at the NOAA Storm Prediction Center & Dr. Christopher Fiebrich at the Oklahoma Mesonet
Weathering Oklahoma received ample coverage from local news stations throughout it's creation and the expedition. Below is one video from KOCO News Channel 5.
If you are interested in learning more about Weathering Oklahoma, it's inception, creation, the journey, the participants, and more, a hardback full-color page book is available for purchase for a discounted price of $25 + shipping. Contact the artist to purchase "Weathering Oklahoma: A collection of works by Leslie Anne Martin."
This book is also available full-price via the link below.
Thank You for Your Participation
Adair County Nichole Cooper
Alfalfa County Medicine Valley Farms
Atoka County James, Karen & Malachi Kraakevik
Beaver County Jordan Shearer
Beckham County Ann Rosenbaum
Blaine County Daniel & Amenda Shieber
Bryan County Carl & Sonja Burns
Caddo County Gerg Brasky
Canadian County Tony & Felicia Gamble
Carter County Steve Douglas
Cherokee County Rick & Terri Fields
Choctaw County Jimmy & Linda Smith
Cimarron County Representative Casey Murdock
Cleveland County Alicia McGuire
Coal County Johnny D. & Debbie Ward and Family
Comanche County Tonya & Michael McCleskey
Cotton County Kim Oliver
Craig County Carolyn Piguet-Advisor with Vinita FFA
Creek County Tanner & Molly Wilcox
Custer County The Hensley Family
Delaware County The Aiken Family
Dewey County Bobby & Anita Logan
Ellis County Jeff & Helen Dodd
Garfield County Rick & Marsha Billings
Garvin County Bill & Carol Naberhaus
Grady County Amy Walkup
Grant County ARM Climate Research Facility, Southern Great Plains
Greer County Jeremy & Brooke Kirby, Farmer/Rancher
Harmon County Warren & Lori Austin
Harper County Medic Pharmacy & Gifts
Haskell County Casey & Samitra Smith
Hughes County Natalie Maxwell
Jackson County Warren & Lori Austin
Jefferson County Bartling Ranch
Johnston County Nan & Charles Swank
Kay County Lesley Schieber
Kingfisher County Chalker-Gundlach Farms
Kiowa County Pete, Mary, Peter & Ray Baxter
Latimer County Red Oak 4H
LeFlore County Sabrina Milligan
Lincoln County Kid’s Life Learning Center
Logan County Ashley Jones
Love County Bre Roberts
Major County T&L Cattle Company: Steve Stauffer & Tammy Treece
Marshall County Bridget N. Diaz
Mayes County Dian Powell
McClain County Hibbs-Corbin Families
McCurtain County Brian & Tommie Armstrong-Eagletown School
McIntosh County Lt. Col. Larry Cope (dec.) & Nowatha Cope
Murray County Jim Dixon
Muskogee County Phillip & Tootsie Henderson
Noble County Marcus, Brooke & Jarron Davis
Nowata County Suzanne Hughes with Capstone Music Company LTD
Okfuskee County Tony & Rhonda Bartos
Oklahoma County Collins Family
Okmulgee County Wright Ranch: Brandon & Rebecca Wright
Osage County Bryan & Mary Boy
Ottawa County Kathy Crow
Pawnee County Morrow/Bennett
Payne County Troy Williamson
Pittsburg County Lyndell Collins & Family
Pontotoc County Laura Pounders
Pottawatomie County Don & Laquitta Pitts
Pushmataha County Wayne Hawkins & Family
Roger Mills County Jason & Lindsey Orgain
Rogers County Crissy Matlock
Seminole County Marc Thomas
Sequoyah County Paula Haraway, DVM
Stephens County Bray/Doyle 2015/2016 FCCLA
Texas County Clancy Green
Tillman County Paula Haefner
Tulsa County Ryan & Brenda Smith
Wagoner County Kurt & Kathie Klein
Washington County Ben & Tasha Hollander
Washita County Jared & Alyssa Wedel
Woods County Dr. Richard & Connie Moore
Woodward County Vic & Lynette Terbush
Contributions That Helped Make This Project Possible
Representative Casey Murdock – Cimarron County – drill bit
Sue Selman with Selman Ranch – Harper County – dinner & lodging
Jeff & Helen Dodd – Ellis County – breakfast, postage
Jason & Lindsey Orgain – Roger Mills County – steak knife set
Beverly Robertson Thomason – Roger Mills County – monetary contribution
Vic & Lynette Terbush – Woodward County – mallet
Dr. Richard & Connie Moore – Woods County – lunch & cupcakes
Medicine Valley Farms – Alfalfa County – beer & chocolates
T&L Cattle Company: Steve Stauffer & Tammy Treece – Major County – dinner
Rick & Marsha Billings – Garfield County – lodging & breakfast
ARM Climate Research Facility, Southern Great Plains, David & Kristen Swank – Grant County – muffins
Jack & Loyd Hedrick-Lightfoot – Payne County – lodging & sunflower seeds
Monica Casey & Josh Barnard with OSU Atherton Hotel – Payne County – welcome bag
Dr. Rebecca Brienen – Payne County – monetary contribution
Dana & Kathy Crow – Ottawa County – dinner & lodging
Dian Powell – Mayes County – BBQ lunch
Sandra Phipps – Mayes County – monetary contribution
Katie Teel – Osage County – monetary contribution
Elizabeth Gray – Tulsa County – monetary contribution
The Whitaker Family – Tulsa County – monetary contribution
Glenn & Linda Martin – Tulsa County – dinner, lodging, breakfast & monetary contribution
Randy Vaughn with Customs by Vaughn – Tulsa County – bottled water
Lindsay Larremore Craig – Tulsa County – monetary contribution
Paula Haraway, DVM – Sequoyah County – dinner, lodging, breakfast
Michelle Finch with Girls Gone Wine – McCurtain County – wine tasting and complimentary glasses of wine
David & Kristen Swank – Johnston County – monetary contribution
Bill & Carol Naberhaus – Garvin County – lunch, spade & monetary contribution
Natalie West – Hughes County – monetary contribution
Tony & Rhonda Bartos – Okfuskee County – dinner, lodging & breakfast
Carol Heard – Okfuskee County – monetary contribution
Megan Hecker – Lincoln County – monetary contribution
Jerry & Jenny Pratka – Lincoln County – monetary contribution
Marc Thomas – Seminole County – monetary contribution
Don & Laquitta Pitts – Pottawatomie County – lunch
Romy Owens – Oklahoma County – monetary contribution
Ashley Jones – Logan County – Girl Scout cookies
Daniel & Amanda Schieber – Blaine County – lunch
The Hensley Family – Custer County – beer
Ann Rosenbaum – Beckham County – coffee & monetary contribution
Kim Avant Oliver – Cotton County – monetary contribution
Tonya & Michael McCleskey – Comanche County – Weathering Oklahoma car decals & pecans
Alicia McGuire – Cleveland County – Gatorade
Joy Fesler – Okfuskee County – Postmaster of the Year Award
Film Contributions
Greg McLaughlin – storm footage
David Hughes – storm footage
A Special Thank You to my Committee:
Ellen Babcock
Kirsten P. Buick
Constance DeJong
Lee Montgomery
Additional Thanks to…
Justin Nighbert
Kat Heatherington
Peter Lisignoli
Jessamyn Lovell
Regina Chavez-Puccetti
Melinda Frame
Waterjet Cutting, Inc.
and my fellow Oklahomans whom lended their participation and support.
Thank You to the Following Individuals for their Expertise & Assistance with Weathering Oklahoma…
Daniel Martin
Tony & Rhonda Bartos
Abbey Hepner
Eugene Ellenberg
Kristen Roles
Nick Clifford Simko
Rusty Ayrton Chapman
Katelyn Bladel