Oklahoma City

Wowee! Coming from Little Rock capitol, which was practically barren, to the OK City capitol was crazy-time. Oklahomans must really treasure their art, because not only was it everywhere in the building, but they have their own gallery, the "Governor's Art Gallery" funded by the OK Arts Council, with changing exhibits of Oklahoma artists, and probably a director, too.

Also the decor and interior was very colorful, bright colors of red, blue and greens painted in the dome and on the architecture and detailing. The paintings of governors and OK notable peoples were all different - style, genre, the whole deal - and labled extensively.
Like the Little Rock capitol, however, the senate and house chambers were both closed for viewing! So we could not examine how creative their workspace is.

Like the Little Rock capitol it was also designed in the neo-classical, DC-like style, and completed in 1917. A huge building, not sure how many square feet, but definitely comparable to the Little Rock capitol as well.
There was also an oil rig in the front of the building, no doubt noting proudly their success in the industry.
We also stopped by the Oklahoma City Memorial of the bomb that took place in 1995. It was deeply moving and very sad, but it was very well-done in memory of those that died on that day.

Little Rock, AR

The state of Ol President Bill Clinton, one of my husband's favorite presidents (not mine, though)...the capitol was somewhat disappointing, unfortunately!
It was modeled after the US capitol in DC, completed in 1915 using prison labor (fascinating fact! resourceful! I like it). It's very big at 287,000 square feet, dome rising to 213 feet, but is fairly bare when it comes to decor.
Their biggest fancy schmany aspects are their 10-foot bronze doors, purchased in 1910 at Tiffany's for $10,000 (of which were not open for use, though). And, the marble floors and walls throughout the building, and a dainty 4,000 pound chandeleir which I didn't actually note until I just read about it in the pamphlet.
What we did note was that there was hardly any art! Just a couple of portraits of former governors in the rotunda - including a youngin' Clinton with thick brunette locks, smiling that smile and working at his desk.
There was a small one-room gallery on the 4th floor, with maybe 6-8 paintings that were not labled, and another small gallery about former governors, but they were hidden and there wasn't any signs to tell us about them! Very disappointing.
We also made a quick stop at the Clinton Presidential Library/Museum and saw lifesize replicas of the presidential office while Clinton reigned and one of the cabinet room. There was also an exhibit of a bunch of gifts given to the President while he was President which was cool--lots of art and random cultural relics and notes.