New ‘Howdy’ mural welcomes visitors to OKC Convention Center

A new mural titled “Howdy” now greets visitors inside the Oklahoma City Convention Center. Created by local artist Nick Bayer, the 17-by-20-foot piece joins the city’s growing public art collection. 

Bayer, an Oklahoma resident, has worked as a professional artist for more than 15 years and has held several roles in arts education. He earned a bachelor’s degree in fine arts and a master’s degree in education from the University of Central Oklahoma and a master’s degree in fine arts from Kansas State University. He owns and operates Createco Studios, and his murals appear in several Oklahoma communities. 

The mural, located in the center’s first-floor lobby at 100 Mick Cornett Drive, draws inspiration from Oklahoma’s Western heritage. Its design features 16 repeating images, including the state flower and Route 66, arranged in a circular pattern inspired by windmills often seen across the state. Bayer based the composition on traditional Western wear embroidery. 

“‘Howdy’ is a common Oklahoma greeting that can be heard across the entire state,” Bayer said. “It's a friendly way to welcome a guest, whether it's a visitor from out of town or your best friend. That is exactly what I want this artwork to be: a friendly hello to a passerby. Doesn't matter if you're from out of state or from around the corner, ‘Howdy’ is a friendly Oklahoma Hello.” 

The project was funded through OKC’s 1% for Art program, part of the voter-approved MAPS 3 construction of the convention center. The ordinance sets aside 1% of construction budgets for city buildings, parks and trails to fund public art. 

The city has commissioned Bayer for six projects since adopting the 1% for Art ordinance.