Studio Tours
Sohail Shehada
For Sohail Shehada, art is not confined to a single discipline or source of inspiration. Music, theater, literature, performance, architecture, and everyday observation all feed into a creative process that is constantly evolving. His work moves fluidly between drawing, painting, and sculpture; each medium offering a different way to explore ideas and translate experience into form.
Filmed in his office at the University of Oklahoma School of Visual Arts, this conversation reflects on the role of artistic expression, the importance of experimentation, and the value of remaining open to change throughout the creative process. Shehada describes inspiration as something built through accumulated experiences rather than a single influence, with concepts often shifting and expanding as the work develops.
As both an artist and educator, Shehada also speaks about the long-term impact of teaching and mentorship. After more than two decades at the University of Oklahoma, he continues to emphasize the importance of helping students build a strong foundation while encouraging them to push beyond it in their own careers. Watching former students evolve, succeed, and return with new experiences remains one of the most rewarding parts of his practice.
The conversation also highlights his appreciation for the collaborative spirit of Norman’s arts community and the opportunity for students to exhibit their work publicly through partnerships with the Norman Firehouse Art Center.
This video was filmed and edited by Katie Couch as part of ongoing efforts to document artists and creative spaces connected to the Norman Firehouse Art Center.
Doug Casebeer
For Doug Casebeer, the studio is more than a place to make work; it’s a space where artists begin to recognize their own voice and how it connects to something larger. His approach to ceramics is grounded in both individual expression and a broader sense of dialogue, encouraging artists to create work that resonates beyond themselves.
In this visit, Casebeer reflects on the role of community in shaping that process. Through his involvement with the Cultivating Creativity group, he has worked alongside artists at different stages in their practice, helping foster an environment where experimentation, growth, and collaboration can take hold. It’s within that shared space that ideas are tested, refined, and ultimately brought into the world.
Filmed in his Norman studio, the conversation also highlights his connection to the local arts community and the energy surrounding exhibitions at the Norman Firehouse Art Center. Casebeer points to the importance of these moments, when artists step out of the studio and into a public setting, as essential to building both confidence and connection.
As both an artist and mentor, his perspective underscores a simple but powerful idea: creative work doesn’t exist in isolation. It grows through conversation, shared experience, and a willingness to be part of something evolving.
This video was filmed and edited by Katie Couch as part of ongoing efforts to document artists and creative spaces connected to the Norman Firehouse Art Center.
Pilar Loizaga
There’s a moment many artists recognize: the gap between making and not making, when the work goes quiet and the path forward isn’t clear. For Pilar Loizaga, that pause eventually gave way to something unexpected: a return to clay that feels more energized, more open, and more personal than before.
In this studio visit, Loizaga reflects on what it means to lose and then rediscover creative momentum. After stepping away from ceramics for a period of time, she found herself searching for a way back; something that would challenge her and reconnect her to the kind of inspiration she had been missing. That turning point came through a workshop experience that quickly evolved into deeper involvement within a creative community.
Working out of Doug Spear’s studio in Norman, Loizaga describes the past year as one of rapid growth. Surrounded by other artists and a shared sense of purpose, she began producing work at a pace and level that hadn’t felt possible before. The pieces emerging from this period reflect that shift: less constrained, more exploratory, and grounded in a renewed sense of curiosity.
Her story speaks to the importance of environment and timing, and how creative practice is often shaped as much by community as it is by individual discipline. Sometimes, the right space and the right people are what bring the work back to life.
This video was filmed and edited by Katie Couch as part of ongoing efforts to document artists and creative spaces connected to the Norman Firehouse Art Center.
Ruth Loveland
The Norman Firehouse Art Center is excited to share the next installment of our Oklahoma Studio Tours series. These videos invite viewers into the creative spaces of artists, offering a closer look at where ideas take shape and how personal experiences influence the work being made.
In this episode, we visit the North Oklahoma studio of artist Ruth Loveland (Instagram: @ruthbloveland), whose practice is rooted in patience, observation, and a deep connection to place. Loveland’s work explores the subtle nuances of Oklahoma’s iconic red soil. By collecting, refining, and transforming local earth into pigment using a simple mixture of egg yolk and soil, she employs an ancient paint-making method to create work that is both minimal and deeply tied to the landscape around her.
In the interview, Loveland reflects on her lifelong relationship with drawing, the influence of artists who document the ordinary, and how art serves as a way to process the inner workings of her mind. She also shares her connection to the Firehouse Art Center, where she took classes as a child and later returned as part of the creative community that continues to shape Norman’s cultural landscape.
This episode was filmed and edited by Katie Couch as part of the Firehouse’s ongoing effort to highlight artists and creative voices connected to our community.
Qvetzal
The Norman Firehouse Art Center is excited to share the next installment of our Oklahoma Studio Tours series! These videos invite viewers into the creative spaces of artists, offering a closer look at where ideas form and how personal experiences shape the work.
In this episode, we visit the Puerto Vallarta studio of Qvetzal (Instagram: @qvtzl), an artist whose journey into art began at a young age and grew into a lifelong pursuit. From early curiosity in an Arkansas classroom to a deep connection with Mexican culture, symbolism, and collage, Qvetzal’s work blends intuition, emotion, and layered imagery. Influenced by both classical and contemporary artists, his process moves fluidly between precision and freedom, reflecting his belief that art is both a gift and a challenge; one that pushes humanity to ask deeper questions and see the world differently.
This episode offers an intimate look at Qvetzal’s creative process, cultural influences, and philosophy on why art matters as nourishment for the human spirit.
This episode was filmed and edited by Katie Couch, whose work beautifully highlights this exciting new chapter for the Firehouse community.
David Elder
The Norman Firehouse Art Center is excited to share the third installment of our Oklahoma Studio Tours series! These videos invite viewers inside the creative spaces of local artists to see where inspiration takes shape and how each artist brings their ideas to life.
Step inside the world of pottery with David Elder, an artist who has been working with clay for as long as he can remember. From his years as a professor to his passion for creating pieces that bring joy, David believes pottery should be fun and for everyone, even if it takes plenty of practice along the way. Explore his beautiful and handcrafted work now available in our Holiday Gift Gallery and at our upcoming Chili Bowl sponsored by BancFirst.
This episode was filmed and edited by Katie Couch, whose work beautifully highlights this exciting new chapter for the Firehouse community.
Elyse BOGART
The Norman Firehouse Art Center is proud to unveil the third installment of our Oklahoma Studio Tours series! These videos invite viewers inside the creative spaces of local artists to see where inspiration takes shape and how each artist brings their ideas to life.
In this episode, longtime Firehouse instructor Elyse Bogart (Instagram: @elysebogartdesigns) shares her story and gives us a tour of the newly renovated Jewelry Studio at Norman Firehouse. Having been part of Firehouse since 1982, Elyse reflects on the studio’s evolution and what this expanded space means for the next generation of artists.
This episode was filmed and edited by Katie Couch, whose work beautifully highlights this exciting new chapter for the Firehouse community.
Carlos Barboza
The Norman Firehouse Art Center is excited to announce Oklahoma Studio Tours! These interviews will give viewers a look not only into the creative space of an artist but also where they derive their inspiration and their processes for creating work.
We begin this series with artist Carlos Barboza (Instagram :@barboza_art) at his collaborative studio space, Canopy Art Center (Instagram: @canopyokc), in Oklahoma City's Plaza District.
This inaugural episode was shot and edited by our intern Jaxon Holuby (Instagram: @jaxonholuby). We're super grateful to have him help kick off this informative and fun series! This fall, Jaxon will be pursuing a BFA in film and television from Savannah College of Art and Design.