Quartz Mountain Resort Arts and Conference Center
Geography of Quartz Mountain
The Quartz Mountain Resort Arts and Conference Center is a resort located 17 miles north of Altus in the Wichita Mountains of southwestern Oklahoma, two and a half hours from Oklahoma City, four hours from Dallas, near the Texas border and 9 miles (14 km) west of Lone Wolf, Oklahoma on State Highway 44A. "It is the perfect location for corporate retreats, national conferences, workshops, family reunions, destination weddings, and quiet escapes."[1][2]
About Quartz Mountain Resort Arts and Conference Center
Quartz Mountain Resort Main Statement
"Southwest Oklahoma's premiere destination resort retains an element of the mythical and sacred that contributes to the overall atmosphere of the lodge-style hotel. Custom, hand painted art donated to the resort provides a visual of the rich heritage... Come hike in the mountains, go boating on the lake, play a round of golf, explore the Arts Institute, or just relax at the lodge! Though Quartz Mountain Resort is located in an isolated spot, guests can still keep in touch with the outside world. Guests have access to high-speed internet in their rooms and there is complimentary Wi-Fi in the lobby of the resort." [3]
Features/Facilities
- 6,260 Lake Acres
- 4,284 Park Acres
- Resort lodge includes 118 guest rooms/suites
- 8 Cabins with kitchenettes
- Mountain View 64-person dormitory style Bunkhouse
- Performing Arts Theatre Complex
- 5 Performing Arts Pavilions
- Outdoor Amphitheatre with 200 person capacity
- 5 Camping Areas
- 19 Full Hookups
- 100 Electric/Water Hookups (5 handicap accessible
- 99 Primitive Sites
- Restrooms / Showers (4 handicap accessible)
- Sanitary Dump Stations
- Boat Ramps
- Group Camp with 125 person capacity
- Nature Center
- Naturalist
- Hiking Trails
- Giftshop located in the Main Lodge
- North Shore ATV Area available from April 1st - October 31st
- Sand Dunes
- Swimming Beaches
- Miniature Golf
- Water Skiing
- Paddleboats
- Grocery Store
- Outdoor Pool
Oklahoma Summer Arts Institute at Quartz Mountain
Two-hundred-and-fifty students between the ages of fourteen and eighteen are selected for the Oklahoma Summer Arts Institute annually and spend two weeks at Quartz Mountain living in cabins and lodges focusing on their area of discipline where they study with well-known Artists. Auditions take place at the beginning of the year; accepted students receive letters dictating their selection in mid-April. According to the Oklahoma Arts Institute website, "The Oklahoma Summer Arts Institute (OSAI) is an intensive academy for Oklahoma high school students in the fields of acting, creating writing, ballet, modern dance, orchestra, chorus, drawing and painting, photography, and film and video. OSAI faculty artists include winners of the Pulitzer Price and the Academy, Grammy, Emmy, and Tony Awards. You'll join over 250 students from across the state as you study your chosen field and attend or participate in performances, gallery openings, film screenings, poetry readings, and more. Optional activities include nature hikes, karaoke night, movie night, a talent show, and all-camp dances. You'll make lifelong friends and study with amazing teachers for a summer experience you'll never forget."[2][5]
The cost of attendance is very low due to extensive funding by the Oklahoma government and private donors. Some students who qualify only pay a participation fee of $250.
The current disciplines are: Acting, Ballet, Chorus, creative Writing, Drawing & Painting, Film & Video, Modern Dance, Orchestra, Photography
Student Supplies (General)
According to the Oklahoma Summer Arts Institute Student Handbook, each student should bring:
- a copy of the OSAI Student Handbook
- a flashlight with batteries
- ten sheets of personal stationery or note cards (any color or pattern)
- seven envelopes
- seven $0.49 stamps
- one+ pairs of close toed shoes
- clothing for at least 7-14 days (laundry station available)
- required discipline-specific supplies (Varies each year)[6]
OSAI 2015 Faculty
| Discipline | Name | Position | Current Residence |
|---|---|---|---|
| Guest Artists |
|
|
|
| Acting |
|
|
|
| Ballet |
|
|
|
| Chorus |
|
|
|
| Creative Writing |
|
|
|
| Drawing & Painting |
|
|
|
| Film & Video |
|
|
|
| Modern Dance |
|
|
|
| Orchestra |
|
|
|
| Photography |
|
|
|
| Guest Faculty - Ballroom Dance |
|
|
|
| Pilates & Fitness |
|
|
|
History of Quartz Mountain (Baldy Point)
Quartz Mountain's history began due to local recreational climbers. The land was privately owned by Ted and Margaret Johnson who allowed climbers to legally explore Baldy Point since the early 1970's. Ted died in 1993 and left the land to his wife. After only seven years, Margaret needed to sell the property in order to keep up with her medical bills. Because of the climbing community, the tourists who loved the beautiful Oklahoma land, and Margaret's daughter, on March 30, 2001, the Access Fund and the Wichita Mountains Climbers Coalition were able to purchase "Baldy Point". The two partners then immediately donated the land to the State of Oklahoma where it was dedicated as a part of the Quartz Mountain State Park. As of January 1, 2002, the State Park was renamed Quartz Mountain Nature Park.[8]
History of the Quartz Mountain Resort Arts and Conference Center
The Quartz Mountain Lodge was built in 1955. It included forty four rooms, a tennis count, and two pools: one indoor, one outdoor. In 1959 a nine-hole golf course was added. In 1970, more construction led to more campgrounds on the north side of the land. Soon after all the construction was completed, the beautiful lodge burnt almost completely due to an electrical fire in the sauna area. The resort was forced to close until after the seven hundred and fifty seat theatre was completed in 2001. The total reconstruction cost over seventeen million dollars. In 2002, after Baldy point was donated to the State of Oklahoma, the Dunnam property was also donated to the cause. In 2003, Quartz Mountain's 'Baldy Point Trails' project was awarded eighty thousand dollars for construction and improvements.
Currently, the land is used as a Conference Center to the Higher Regents, the location of the Oklahoma Summer Arts Institute, and is still a hot spot for tourists and recreational climbers.[9]
External links
Reference
- ↑ Kelly, Anna. "Quartz Mountain Resort Arts & Conference Center... The Choice for Oklahoma Resorts!". Quartz Mountain Resort. Retrieved December 7, 2015.
- 1 2 Hedglen, Thomas."Quartz Mountain State Park.," Encyclopedia of Oklahoma. Retrieved April 13, 2014.
- ↑ Kelly, Anna. "Quartz Mountain Resort Arts & Conference Center...". Quartz Mountain Resort. Retrieved December 7, 2015.
- ↑ Kelly, Anna. "Quartz Mountain Nature Park's History". Quartz Mountain. Retrieved December 7, 2015.
- ↑ Kelly, Anna. "This could be the summer that changes your life". Oklahoma Arts Institute at Quartz Mountain. Retrieved December 7, 2015.
- ↑ Kelly, Anna. "General Info & FAQs". Oklahoma Arts Institute at Quartz Mountain. Retrieved December 6, 2015.
- ↑ Kelly, Anna. "2015 OSAI Faculty". Oklahoma Arts Institute at Quartz Mountain. Retrieved December 7, 2015.
- ↑ Kelly, Anna. "Quartz History". Wichita Mountains Climbers Coalition. Retrieved December 6, 2015.
- ↑ Kelly, Anna. "Quartz Mountain Nature Park's History". Quartz Mountain. Retrieved December 6, 2015.
Coordinates: 34°54′17″N 99°18′19″W / 34.90472°N 99.30528°W