UCO’s Melton Gallery Presents ‘Expanding Expectations’ Exhibition, March 3-April 18
Feb. 27, 2025
The Melton Gallery at the University of Central Oklahoma will present “Expanding Expectations,” an exhibition featuring five contemporary artists exploring the intersections of traditional media and new technologies, March 3-April 18.
A public reception and panel discussion will be held in the gallery from 5-7 p.m., Thursday, April 3, featuring floral interpretations inspired by the exhibition from Brianne Bibb, UCO alumna and owner of Felicity Flower Company in Oklahoma City.
The exhibition will showcase innovative works by Benjamin Murphy, Andy Mattern, Pete Froslie, Paho Mann and Laurie Frick.
“Expanding Expectations” challenges viewers to engage with contemporary narratives through a range of mediums, including painting, photography, digital manipulation and data-driven art. Each artist employs unique methods to push the boundaries of creative expression:
- Benjamin Murphy from Stillwater, Oklahoma, integrates painting and technology to explore themes of science and contemporary symbols, with works featured in exhibitions across the U.S. and internationally.
- Andy Mattern from Stillwater, Oklahoma, reconfigures photographic conventions in his conceptual installations, with works held in the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art collections and the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston.
- Pete Froslie from Norman, Oklahoma, investigates global systems and environmental change through experimental media, incorporating digital fieldwork from Arctic expeditions into his artistic practice.
- Paho Mann from Dallas, Texas, examines consumer culture and digital mapping through photography, with his work included in collections such as the Tucson Museum of Art and the City of Phoenix Public Art Program.
- Laurie Frick from Austin, Texas, creates data-driven art reflecting personal and societal patterns, with projects featured in NPR’s All Things Considered and exhibitions across North America.
“’Expanding Expectations’ brings together five artists who each uniquely integrate technology into their creative processes, showcasing the dynamic intersection of art and innovation,” said Keri Smith, curator of the Melton Gallery.
“This exhibition offers a platform to explore how contemporary artists harness technological tools to expand the boundaries of traditional art forms.”
The exhibition is free and open to the public. The gallery is located in the UCO Art and Design building on Central’s campus. Gallery hours are from noon-5 p.m., Monday-Thursday, and noon-3 p.m., Friday, with additional times available by appointment.
For more information about "Expanding Expectations" or to schedule a visit to the Melton Gallery, contact Smith at ksmith240@uco.edu or call 405-974-2432.
Visit www.meltongallery.com for additional programming details.
To learn more about the UCO College of Fine Arts and Design and view a listing of events and performances, visit www.uco.edu/cfad/.
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Cutline: Laurie Frick’s “Stress Inventory 13” (2025) uses canvas, pencil and felt fabric to transform self-tracking data into a vibrant, tactile visualization of stress. Her work is featured alongside four other artists in “Expanding Expectations,” an exhibition exploring the intersection of art and technology, on display at UCO’s Melton Gallery from March 3-April 18.
Scott Hale