Philbrook Museum of Art will host the first career retrospective for Tulsa artist Patrick Gordon, titled “Wall Flowers: Patrick Gordon Paintings.” The exhibition opens on September 24, 2025, and runs through January 3, 2026. It will feature more than fifty works, ranging from Gordon’s early watercolor experiments to his recent large-scale floral paintings. Portraits and still lifes are also included in the show.
Gordon has been a fixture in the Tulsa art community for decades. His connection with Philbrook began in the 1970s when he worked as a teaching artist. In 1977, Philbrook hosted his first museum exhibition.
“For this retrospective we wanted to highlight the variety and breadth of a career spanning more than fifty years,” said Philbrook curator Susan Green. “These works are some of his absolute favorites and speak to significant moments in his development as an artist.”
Philbrook President & CEO Megan Whittaker Nesbit commented on the museum’s ongoing support for local artists: “Supporting local artists isn’t just part of our mission, it is an opportunity to celebrate perspectives and stories that are uniquely Tulsan. Few have shaped the rich culture of our community more generously or dedicatedly than Pat. What an honor it’s been to collaborate with him on this beautiful exhibition.”
Programming related to the exhibition will include artist talks, workshops, and curator tours. A section of Gordon’s Maple Ridge home studio will be recreated within the gallery space. The artist plans to work regularly in this area during the run of the show, giving visitors a chance to observe his creative process.
Philbrook Museum of Art was established in 1939 and has since expanded its facilities and gardens. The institution features over 16,000 objects focusing on American, Native American, and European art and receives more than 160,000 visitors each year.
