Ten Years Gone: OZ Arts Celebrates Its 10th Anniversary
On a crisp Friday night, OZ Arts invited the community out for its big birthday bash. There was art on every surface. And the former cigar warehouse — now a beloved visual and performing art center — was illuminated by a glowing projection that read “OZ’s 10th Anniversary Bash.”
Waves of art enthusiasts arrived clad in a dazzling variety of attire, turning the night into a showcase of captivating art and expressive personal style. In the “Creative Warehouse,” DJ Raiden played an energetic mix that had some guests jiving the second they entered. Others stopped and soaked in the 360 degrees of excitement.
Experiential, interactive installations lined the walls — a nod to OZ Arts’ mission to spotlight artists and meaningfully engage audiences. A breathtaking balloon sculpture lit by disco lights beckoned all inside for a memorable photo opportunity. At one standout booth lined with McDonald’s french fry cups, guests wrote down memories from the past 10 years and added them to the playful fast food tapestry.
Emcee Jennifer Whitcomb-Oliva kept the festivities rolling with video viewings and stage performers, like New Dialect, Shackled Feet Dance, Jenny Littleton, Piper Jones, Johna Jackson and more. The theatrical rock band Fable Cry stunned guests with vibrant looks and sounds on the music stage. Colorful sculptures by Alex Lockwood hung high above the party.
In the back lounge, Lenin Fernandez, Alex Winer and Sandy Perez put on individual dance performances every 15 minutes. Guests indulged in a signature drink called The Decade Smash and gazed through the glass panes of a circular structure titled “Dances for a Tiny Room.” The quieter nature of these performances offered the perfect contrast to the more vivacious party down the hall.
Tim Ozgener, Mark Murphy and their passionate team are a marvel as they give to the artistic community both near and far. Over the past 10 years, OZ Arts has hosted 2,500 artists from over 15 different countries. The spirited anniversary soirée was a wonderful ode to the arts and our creative city.
