More than seventy paintings carefully selected from The Speed Art Museum in Louisville, Ky made their premiere visit to Tulsa at Philbrook Museum of Art, 2727 S. Rockford Rd. The Magnificent Vision exhibit is on display through Jan. 8 and will then move on to Tennessee, Michigan, Texas and Florida.

Masterpieces by Rubens, Tiepolo and Rembrandt depict classically posed, seventeenth and eighteenth century portraits. European art navigated through a dramatic transformation during this time and this exhibit embodies that transformation. The exhibit it arranged by theme, flowing freely from still-life, to portraiture, to landscape paintings.

After touring the exhibit, check out the "Magnificent Vision Film Series" which will screen at Philbrook Museum at various times through Dec. 10. There are four films scheduled: Tom Jones on Nov. 5; the sumptuous Marie Antoinette on Nov. 10; Amadeus on Dec. 1; and The Slipper and the Rose on Dec. 10. Each of the films will give the audience a flavor of Baroque Europe and can be experienced at the Patty Johnson Wilson Hall. The film series for Magnificent Vision is free with admission.

Like a little word-play with your still life? You can make a whole day of it at Philbrook on Thursday, Oct. 20, for the 3rd Thursday Series featuring award-winning designer and author Paul Shaw at Wilson Hall from 6pm-8pm. "Helvetica and the New York Subway System" is a discovery of the rich history of the hodgepodge of lettering styles of the signage in New York City. Will order triumph over chaos? Stick around to find out, and be sure to pick up a complimentary limited edition poster signed by Paul Shaw. You will never have to guess what font to pick for that invite again.

Window Shopping

No matter what your roommate says, that space above the couch needs some color! Go exploring through the Collectors Reserve temporary exhibit at the Gilcrease Museum, located at 1400 N. Gilcrease Museum Rd. Collectors Reserve, the exhibition and art sale of nationally acclaimed artists, opens Oct. 22, and will continue through Nov. 6. All mediums of various sizes are available to view and purchase. More information can be found at gilcrease.org.

Organic Inspiration

Natural beauty is the motivation for the Woods and Prairies exhibit on display at the Tulsa Performing Arts Center, 110 E. 2nd St., through Oct. 30. Watercolors on a variety of surfaces highlight the natural beauty and change of seasons in many pastoral scenes.

High Climbing.

On Oct. 22, let the nature-inspired exhibit float through your mind as you luxuriate in the sounds of the Tulsa Symphony Orchestra's "Larger Than Life" series at the Chapman Music Hall, featuring Gerhardt Zimmerman conducting the Tulsa premier of Christopher Theofanidis' existential Rainbow Body.

Crescendo Award winner Siwoo Kim will perform Sibelius' Violin Concerto, which is recognizable from Stanley Kubrick's 1968 film 2001: A Space Odyssey.

Tickets for the symphony range from $25 to $65 and can be found at myticketoffice.com. The gallery at the Tulsa PAC is open Monday-Friday 10am-5:30pm, and during all Chapman Music Hall events.

No one will notice if all that natural beauty creates some organic smooching and hugging.

How Now Lowbrow?

I don't know who would ever want 50swats, especially from a Monster, but over at the Nightingale Theatre, things are always a little off the 'beaten' path. Check out their 50swats Presents Monsters: Short Form Theatre at its Scariest Oct. 20-22 and 27-29 at 8pm. Tickets, which are $10, are available at the door at 1416 E. 6th St. This would be a great kick-off to your Halloween celebrations...not to mention a great place to scope out monster costume ideas.

All this lowbrow drama inspiring you to greatness? Set your sights on the Brady Arts District next Wednesday night to sign up to perform at Café Kzany at Living Arts of Tulsa, 307 E. Brady, on Oct. 26 at 8pm. This original open-mic cabaret show allows performers to show-up and show-off in front of a lively audience. They also promise to bring you in as a member of the "family" after your five minute performance of either: spoken word, music, dance, comedy, multi-disciplinary art or random character appearance. The family Christmas card will be so much more colorful this year! Material is geared toward mature audiences.

Mixed Bag

It's just a jump to the left and a step to the right to experience Tulsa Project Theatre's (TPT) Masquerade -- A Rocky Halloween on Oct. 29 at the Assembly Hall of the Tulsa Convention Center. Tickets are $125 and include food, wine and the event experience. Ticket sales go to support TPT's upcoming season. VIP packages available and costumes are encouraged. Invites can be requested on the TPT website tulsaprojecttheatre.com/masquerade.

Send all comments and feedback regarding Arts Experienced to jratliff@urbantulsa.com.