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G. Patrick Riley is a nationally recognized artist and art educator, celebrated for both his creative versatility and lifelong dedication to teaching. Born in 1940 and raised in rural Oklahoma, Riley attended Ada High School and studied at East Central University before earning his bachelor's and master’s degrees in art from the University of Oklahoma.
At just 24 years old, Riley began teaching in the Oklahoma Public School System, where he inspired generations of students until 1990. Many of his former students went on to become artists, educators, and professionals across diverse fields. Following his public school career, he taught at the university level and served as a fine arts administrator.
Riley’s work spans a wide range of media, including drawing, printmaking, pottery, painting, sculpture, leatherwork, and large-scale
totems. He is perhaps best known for his expressive leather masks, which have been exhibited in New York City and Washington, D.C. In 2010, one of his leather masks was gifted to Lady Gaga during her performance at the Ford Center in Oklahoma City. In 2012, he completed a monumental 28-foot stainless steel eagle mask sculpture for the Oklahoma Judicial Center.
Riley continues to influence the arts in Oklahoma and beyond through his creative practice and educational legacy.
Curator
Will Long, Library Specialist I
The University of Central Oklahoma recognizes the university's main campus is located on the traditional lands of the Caddo and Wichita people.
View the full Land Acknowledgement.
