Welcome to Moderns Moment, a monthly blog series by the OKCMOA Moderns Board. Through these posts, you’ll get to know our board members and discover the many benefits of being a Moderns member!
What is OKCMOA Moderns?
OKCMOA Moderns is a dynamic group of Museum members, patrons, and rising business, civic, and social leaders committed to supporting the Oklahoma City Museum of Art and engaging with art in Oklahoma City and beyond. We seek to engage the community by providing an enriching and social atmosphere that creates personal connections between community and art. Anyone 21+ with an active Museum membership at Individual or Dual levels may join.
Learn more and join today at okcmoa.com/moderns.
About Gerred Edwards
My name is Gerred Edwards and I am currently serving on the Membership Committee of the 2025 OKCMOA Moderns Board which focuses on member recruitment, engagement, and retention. This is my second year serving on the Moderns Board and I am more excited than ever for what this year has to offer!
I am a program manager in the aerospace defense sector who grew up in Oklahoma City near Tinker Air Force Base. I stayed in Oklahoma City for undergraduate and postgraduate studies attending Oklahoma City University (Go Stars!) where I studied piano performance and business administration. During that time, I worked and volunteered for the university before joining a local 501(c)(3) not-for-profit land development company. I now live on the northeast side of Oklahoma City with my two doodles, Captain Jean-Luc and Guinan, working towards my own personal collection of art from the OKCMOA Store and local arts festivals.
Connection to the Oklahoma Arts Community
I was fortunate to grow up surrounded by the arts, especially the OKC Philharmonic and the Oklahoma City Museum of Art. One of my most vivid memories of OKCMOA is my first visit after the installation of the permanent Dale Chihuly exhibition. Seeing the Chihuly pieces for the first time was truly awe-inspiring—the striking colors and intricate glasswork left a lasting impression on me. Now, as an adult, I’ve had the incredible experience of seeing Chihuly’s work displayed around the world during my travels, and each time, I’m transported back to that first visit as a child in Oklahoma City.
Why Moderns?
I joined the OKCMOA Moderns Board to help strengthen the Museum’s mission, ensuring that every child in Oklahoma has the same opportunity to experience the arts that I was fortunate to have. I truly believe that the visual arts have the power to enrich all of our lives. The Moderns Board has many exciting events planned this year, and we look forward to welcoming you, your friends, and your family to the Museum!
