Section 1 - About the Center
In this section, you will learn about Doel Reed, Martha Reed, how the property became a part of OSU and more.
Introduction
The Doel Reed Center in Taos is an educational site that extends Oklahoma State University’s reach into culturally rich northern New Mexico. Located just outside of Taos, New Mexico, on Highway 518 near the community of Talpa, the Doel Reed Center serves as an educational center for arts and culture for OSU students, alumni and friends and impacts the communities in and around Taos. The Center consists of three pink adobe structures, previously the home and studio of well-known printmaker, Doel Reed, and his family.
Three buildings make up the OSU Doel Reed Center in Taos and provide housing for instructors and space for instructional programs. The property was given to Oklahoma State by Doel Reed's daughter, Martha, toward the end of her life to be used as an educational facility and to preserve the artistic legacy of her father.
The Center is truly an “Enchanted Place to Learn.” There is a video overview on the Center and its programs found on the DRC website. If you have not already viewed it, you may do so here.
Doel Reed
Chester Doel Reed (1894-1985) came to Oklahoma A&M College as a professor in the art
department in 1924. Reed established the art department and served as department head
for 34 years. During his tenure, the art department gained recognition for excellence
in the graphic arts. Doel Reed was a nationally recognized painter and printmaker
and was often cited as being the "master of aquatint.” Reed’s reputation as a printmaker resulted in him becoming
a full member of the prestigious National Academy of Design in 1952.
In the 1940s, Reed and his family began to summer in New Mexico. When he retired from
Oklahoma State University in 1959, he and his wife Jane purchased a property with
three adobe buildings, two residences and a goat shed that he converted to his studio.
Their daughter, Martha, later joined them, living in the smaller residence. Reed exhibited
his work widely throughout the second half of his career, regularly winning awards
for his New Mexico inspired paintings and prints. His creations are sought after by
many fine art collectors worldwide. More in-depth information on Reed’s life and work and the early years of his career are found on the DRC website. If you have not already reviewed this information, you
may do so by following the links provided.
Martha Reed
Martha Jane Reed (1922-2010) was born in Cincinnati, Ohio, but grew up in Stillwater, Oklahoma, and
studied art at Oklahoma A&M College. After graduation, she worked at the Philbrook
Museum of Art in Tulsa and then at the Dallas Museum of Fine Arts.
Having previously spent summers there with her
parents, Martha moved to Taos in 1953. In 1955 she opened the shop that would become known internationally as “Martha of Taos.” She was celebrated for her signature pleated broomstick skirts and “Navajo tops” and dresses. Martha operated her shop next to the Taos Inn for 38 years. Her clients included many of the rich and famous across the country. Her mother Jane, an artist and talented seamstress, worked alongside her in the business.
An independent spirit, Martha loved to socialize and especially enjoyed interacting with young people. Toward the end of her life, she demonstrated her spiritual and material generosity by donating the Reed property to Oklahoma State University, thereby making possible the Doel Reed Center in Taos. More information and photos of Martha are located on the DRC website. If you have not already viewed this information you may do so here.
How the property came to OSU
Acquisition of the Doel Reed property began with a phone conversation in 2005 between
Tulsans Kent and Jeanette Young and then OSU Foundation Interim Director, Malinda
Berry Fisher. The Youngs visited New Mexico, loved the vistas and purchased an aquatint
from a gallery in Tulsa which depicted a New Mexico landscape. The artist was Doel
Reed. Eager to meet the artist, they called him, arranged a visit at his home in Taos
and began a friendship with the family which endured throughout the lives of the Reeds.
With Martha’s advancing age, she began to consider the disposition of the family property
upon her death. She shared with the Youngs her desire to see the property used as
an educational facility and a legacy for her father’s art. Working
with representatives of OSU and the OSU Foundation, Kent represented Martha and helped
to facilitate the transfer of the property to Oklahoma State shortly before Martha’s
death in 2010. Much work was needed on the property to make it usable, but thanks
to generous donors, hard-working volunteers and the vision of President Burns Hargis
and first Cowgirl Ann, the property was dedicated in 2015 as the Doel Reed Center
for the Arts. The ‘for the Arts’ was later dropped from the name in order to reflect
a broader educational intent and the name became the Doel Reed Center in Taos.
Property development
The Doel Reed Center is owned by Oklahoma State University and oversight of the property resides with the Center Director. Recently, a property management company was engaged to carry out routine maintenance and repairs often required by older adobe structures.
There are many funding sources that support the Center’s operation and activities, the largest portion of which are private donations given to the OSU Foundation and earmarked for the Doel Reed Center.
View photos of the property before and after renovations here
After Martha’s death, the property became the responsibility of the University. The two residences and the studio were painstakingly restored by the University with the assistance of dedicated volunteers and generous donors. Significant improvements were added to make the space more usable for its new purpose.
Doel Reed’s studio remains much as it was when he passed away. Photos were taken of the studio and its contents and replaced in their original positions once the renovation was complete, creating a mini-museum. His original printmaking equipment remains.
Mission and Vision
Mission Statement
Building on the land-grant heritage of Oklahoma State University, the OSU Doel Reed Center in Taos extends the reach of OSU by offering multidisciplinary programs in teaching, research and outreach focused on the arts and culture of the Southwest United States to students, alumni, friends and the communities of northern New Mexico.
Vision
The OSU Doel Reed Center in Taos will become a recognized, creative and educational center in northern New Mexico advancing the arts and culture, engaging local communities, and providing innovative opportunities for artists, scholars, students, faculty, alumni and friends of Oklahoma State University.