Library Artwork

The Max Chambers Library has several large art collections. Many pieces are permanently displayed throughout the library. Two of the largest collections are the Murrah Federal Building Artworks and the East & West African artifacts.

First Floor

Murrah Federal Building Artworks

Nineteen artworks that survived the 1995 bombing of the Murrah Federal Building are exhibited on the 1st floor. The online exhibit includes video commentary about many of the pieces.

Second Floor

African Art & Artifacts of West Africa

Twenty large, museum-quality exhibit cases on the north side of second floor display traditional African art from western Africa. The collection serves as a working laboratory for classes in African culture and heritage.

Mather Work Incentive Posters

Mather Work Incentive Posters (1923 and 1929) were designed to increase productivity and reinforce the morals and the morale of the American workforce. Five posters hang in Government Information on 2nd floor south, near the elevators.

Oklahoma Urban Land Rush

Located in the Archives, The Oklahoma Urban Land Rush is a mural presenting the scene at Guthrie, Oklahoma, on April 22, 1889, on the arrival of the first train from the north. The prominent Oklahomans in the mural have been verified to have been on the scene that day. The mural is 8 feet x 5 1/2 feet.

Landscapes by Richard Goetz

Five large landscape oil paintings by Richard V. Goetz adorn the walls of Archives & Special Collections, on the second floor of the library. Put together, these paintings form a panoramic view of the Drummond Ranch in Madill, Oklahoma. Commissioned by A.A. (Jack) Drummond in 1953, these landscapes are rare, since Goetz specialized in highly refined still life compositions.

Photo Series

UCO Sports Series: Central's sports teams in the early 20th century (Nine photos, south wall of Government Information department).
Music Series: Central's musical groups in the early 20th century (Seven photos, Archives hallway).
Old North: Large framed photos of Central's most iconic building (Archives hallway).

Third Floor

African Art & Artifacts of East Africa

Ten large, museum-quality exhibit cases on third floor north display traditional African art from central, eastern, and southern Africa. The collection serves as a working laboratory for classes in African culture and heritage.

Garuda Statue

By far the most ornate art object in the library is the 5 1/2 foot tall, painted-wood statue depicting Garuda, a bird-god of the Hindu religious tradition.

Fourth Floor

George Calvert Collection

Fifty paintings and drawings of George Calvert are featured on 4th floor and in Old North building. Mr. Calvert was a professor of fine arts at Northeastern University and Southwestern University.

For more information about all of the artwork displayed in the library, visit the Archives page.