Nine Altus High School students have been accepted to the Oklahoma Summer Arts Institute at Quartz Mountain (OSAI), a prestigious residential arts academy held in June. The Altus students were among the 270 students selected through competitive statewide auditions from a pool of more than 1,300 applicants. The students' attendance will be supported in part through a fund drive that kicks off today in Altus.

Jordan Johnson, Dalton Latham, and Karissa McClain will study drawing/painting at OSAI. John Morrow and Sarah Sewell were accepted into the choral music program, and Alex and Todd Greenlee will study film. Jessica Roy and Kaylan Liles were accepted as alternates in the choral music and photography programs, respectively.

"A record number of students auditioned this year, and the talent level was truly exceptional," said Emily Clinton, Oklahoma Arts Institute director of programs. "The fact that so many Altus students were accepted testifies to Altus' excellent teachers and arts programs. Altus students can look forward to the once-in-a-lifetime chance to study with the nation's top artists."

OSAI provides training with award-winning artists in nine different artistic disciplines. OSAI faculty have included winners of the Academy, Emmy, Grammy, and Tony Awards and the Pulitzer Prize. This year's artists include John de Lancie of "Star Trek" fame and former U.S. poet laureate Billy Collins.

Altus residents can contribute to the students' experience through donating to the Oklahoma Arts Institute Fund Drive. The Fund Drive kicks off Tuesday with a volunteer rally at the Altus Public Library. The annual event raises thousands each year with the help of dozens of local volunteers. Last year, over 240 Altus-area donors contributed to the drive, which provides program funding and scholarships for OSAI students.

“For over thirty years, the people of southwest Oklahoma have supported OSAI,” said Shana Rutz, Oklahoma Arts Institute development director. “The money raised through the fund drive is instrumental to the success of our program. We are so grateful to the donors and the volunteers who make it happen.”

The OAI Fund Drive will conclude with a reception honoring the drive volunteers and introducing the Altus OSAI students on Tues., May 5 at the NBC Bank, hosted by bank president and OAI board member Jeff Greenlee. At that time, the Fund Drive donations will be tallied and the grand total will be announced.

The OAI Fund Drive is co-chaired by OAI board members Donna Hinton and Jacquelyn Parrish. Helon LaGree, Ken Fergeson, and Jeff Wilmes, OAI emeritus board members, have been long-time volunteers and supporters, along with fellow board members Holley Urbanski and Nancy Cox. If you would like to volunteer for the drive or contribute to the fund, contact Hinton at 482-2855 or Parrish at 482-1748.

You can also contribute by contacting Shana Rutz, Director of Development, at (405) 321-9000. Donations can be accepted online at www.oaiquartz.org, or by mail at Oklahoma Arts Institute, 2600 Van Buren, Suite 2606, Norman, Okla., 73072.

The Oklahoma Arts Institute is a private, non-profit organization developed in 1977, with a vision to cultivate established and emerging artists and educators through art workshops, immersion and awareness. OAI administers a fine arts program for talented Oklahoma youth and a series of continuing education workshops for adults.