Oklahoma Mural Syndicate (“OMS”)

The Oklahoma Mural Syndicate (OMS) is a nonprofit organization that supports the growth and visibility of public art throughout Oklahoma. Founded with the goal of enriching communities through vibrant, accessible artwork, OMS connects local artists with opportunities to create large-scale murals that transform public spaces. One of its most well-known initiatives is the Plaza Walls project in the Plaza District of Oklahoma City, which features a rotating outdoor mural gallery that has become a key part of the city’s cultural landscape.

Through partnerships with city leaders, businesses, and art institutions, OMS promotes artistic expression and community engagement. By organizing mural festivals, artist residencies, and public art events, the organization not only supports artists financially and creatively but also encourages public interaction with art in everyday environments. OMS believes that public art can serve as a catalyst for conversation, neighborhood revitalization, and cultural pride, making art an integral part of the urban experience in Oklahoma.

City

OklahomaCity

Country

United States

Region

N. America

Year of Creation

2015

Featured Project

Plaza Walls

Plaza Walls is an annual rotating mural project that began in 2015, which ignited the entire OMS organization. Located in Oklahoma City, Plaza Walls contains over 30 murals in the Plaza District. Plaza Walls originated from the desire to create spaces for spontaneous mural painting in Oklahoma City. Initially, murals faced resistance in Oklahoma City, and were sometimes painted over, but they eventually gained popularity through OMS’s Plaza Walls and are now seen as a positive force for revitalizing the city’s public art scene. The project has contributed to the area’s growth by attracting visitors, boosting local businesses, and providing a unique backdrop for various activities like live performances and photography.

plazawalls.org

Resources

“10 US cities with the best street art collections.” USA Today, 10 Best, 26 Feb. 2025, https://10best.usatoday.com/awards/best-city-for-street-art/.

King, Laruen. “OKC RANKED NO. 9 CITY WITH THE BEST STREET ART.” Velocity OKC, 4 Apr. 2025, https://www.velocityokc.com/blog/inside-okc/okc-ranked-no.-9-city-with-the-best-street-art/.

McDonnell, Brandy. “Interviews and images: Plaza Walls Mural Expo showcases Oklahoma Mural Syndicate’s mission to promote public street art.” The Oklahoman, 17 Sep. 2018, https://www.oklahoman.com/story/entertainment/columns/brandy-mcdonnell/2018/09/17/interviews-images-walls-mural-showcases-oklahoma-mural-syndicates-mission-promote-public-street/60501096007/.

McKnight, Tiffany. “USA Today,” 11 May 2021, https://www.tiffanymcknight.com/press/best-public-art.

“Oklahoma Mural Syndicate.” KeepMovingOKC, https://www.keepmovingokc.org/organization/oklahoma-mural-syndicate/.

Perry, Erick. “PLAZA WALLS HELPS PUT OKLAHOMA CITY’S ART SCENE ABOVE THE REST.” Velocity OKC, 13 Sep. 2022, https://www.velocityokc.com/blog/lifestyle/plaza-walls-helps-put-oklahoma-city-s-art-scene-above-the-rest/?back=super_blog.

More Information

OMS Webpage

IMPORTANT: Profile pages for all collectives are in permanent development and have been built using information in the public domain. They will be updated progressively and in dialogue with the organizations by the end of 2024. New features and sections will be included in 2025, like featured videos, and additional featured projects. Please contact us if you discover errors. For more information on mapping criteria and to submit your organization’s information to be potentially included in the database, visit this page