Shelly Collins

Hand cut paper assemblage
20” x 16”

When I read the theme for Mayfest 2025 was Stay Gold, a tribute to the beloved novel The Outsiders, I immediately felt invested because of my Tulsa roots. I grew up in a North Tulsa neighborhood adjacent to the Admiral Twin Drive-In—the very location where scenes from the 1983 Outsiders movie were filmed. As a child, I remember climbing through a hole in the fence between my elementary school and the theater, much like Ponyboy and Johnny do in the movie to enter the drive-in. These memories of Tulsa’s rich history and the sense of belonging to a community steeped in stories and culture have profoundly shaped both my identity and my art.

For me, making art is a way to capture and celebrate the beauty of fleeting moments, much like the “Stay Gold” theme speaks to holding onto the purity and hope that life can offer. The idea of “staying gold” is about preserving the innocence and optimism that I believe is often overlooked or lost in the hustle of everyday life. As an artist, I aim to create works that bring those moments of beauty, peace, and connection to the forefront, just as The Outsiders story captures a time in youth and community that many hold dear.

I value the Mayfest tradition as an opportunity for our community to come together, to celebrate creativity, and to unify across our diverse backgrounds. Through my art, I want to contribute to this celebration and create a meaningful connection with viewers, whether they are familiar with The Outsiders or experiencing it for the first time. My work is an expression of my desire to preserve and share beauty in a world that is always changing—a sentiment that resonates deeply with the Stay Gold theme and why I create art.