Dennis Spielman

Many drivers along I-35 in Oklahoma City have seen a strange, crooked building and wondered what it was. People have guessed everything from a daycare to an art gallery, a contractor’s revenge, an insurance agency, to just someone’s house.

The answer: a seafood restaurant called Poe Bouyz House.

I first shared the new back in February. My wife and I were on our way to an art opening at Science Museum Oklahoma when we spotted someone working on it. Curious to know about the building, I turned around and asked. The news went viral and blew up my Facebook feed. I had to turn off notifications. I then tried to get in touch with the owner to do a story for Uncovering Oklahoma, which at the time he declined as he wasn’t ready to talk about it. Yesterday, I got a call inviting me to tour Poe Bouyz House.

The owner and builder, Tony Howard, started construction back in April 2015. Poe Bouyz House has been a passion project for him, working on it bit by bit whenever he had extra time and money to invest. He’s taken his time with the restaurant so when it opens, he won’t have a huge debt to some bank and be worrying about his bottom line.

My original guess of the building being an art gallery wasn’t far off. During my one-on-one tour with Tony, he shared details of a Vegas style decor complete with a 3D underwater painting on the floor, a VIP area upstairs, and a bar surrounded by a waterfall. Poe Bouyz House also features a rooftop waterfall, which to both of our knowledge, is the only waterfall on a roof in the state and perhaps the country. He said people have thought the building sprung a leak when he turns on his waterfall.

Tony is hoping to open Poe Bouyz House in October. He wishes to allow people to enjoy the patio seating before the weather gets cold.

For more details about Poe Bouyz House, including the story behind the theme and the food offerings, watch the sneak peek video tour.

A special thanks to my supporters on Patreon for helping make this video possible! Watch my previous video on an actual art gallery, Oklahoma Contemporary, and the teaser trailer for my upcoming documentary, Inviting Art.

Currently located at State Fair Park, Oklahoma Contemporary aims to encourage artistic expression in all its forms through education and exhibitions. They endeavor to instill in the public a lifetime appreciation of the arts and enthusiasm for creative practice through a broad range of educational programs, exhibitions, and cultural offerings.

Continuing my focus on the arts this month, for this video, I interviewed Jeremiah Matthew Davis, Artistic Director of Oklahoma Contemporary; Jennifer Scanlan, Curatorial and Exhibitions Director; and Erin Oldfield, Director of Education and Public Programming.

Individual Artists of Oklahoma encourages progressive artists in Oklahoma working in all disciplines through monthly exhibitions, educational programs, and community partnerships. IAO promotes inclusion of the arts in the community and in education by keeping nearly 100% of its programs and admission to the gallery completely free to the public.

Continuing my focus on art this month, I interviewed Executive Director, Laurence Myers Reese, to talk about the gallery and what kind of art one can expect to find there.

I did a video on IAO Gallery last year, which I published on June 23, 2016 (I did not plan this scheduling). I rewatched it today for the first time since I’ve finished it. I have to say, I have come a long way improving the quality of my videos in 2017. I’ve gotten better at coaching people in interviews to make them more comfortable and truly shine. I’ve also gotten better at telling stories and showing sides that people don’t usually see to a place. I’ve been killing it this year. Although, I wish more people would watch them and I hope that people haven’t stopped following me because of the past.

Thank you, everyone, and my supporters on Patreon, for your on-going support! Be sure to share this video and check out the gallery. Below is my latest Artist Statement Minute video of what’s on display at this time.