Art exhibitions have been appearing on the Oklahoma State University campus in various locations since the 1920’s when Doel Reed, the first head of the art department was hired. Exhibitions at OSU found a more formal home in 1959 with the first dedicated gallery space in Whitehurst Hall. Housed in the Bartlett Center for the Visual Arts since 1981, the Gardiner Gallery has remained an integral part of the OSU community and Department of Art. The gallery functions as a teaching environment and place to experience the visual arts. The Gardiner exhibits work created by emerging and mid-career artists, produces a yearly suite of student shows and facilitates inter-departmental programming related to current exhibitions.