The Oklahoma Fall Arts Institutes offer a creative retreat - an opportunity to renew the spirit, rejuvenate creativity, and expand personal horizons. The Oklahoma Arts Institute is dedicated to enhancing the cultural landscape of Oklahoma by developing and celebrating Oklahoma's deep reservoir of talent in the arts. Adult artists and educators from across the state and country are invited to participate in four-day weekend workshops taught by master artists in the areas of choral music, photography, visual arts, writing, theatre, and ballroom dancing.

These weekend workshops are held in the beautiful Quartz Mountain Arts and Conference Center located in Lone Wolf, Oklahoma. This center includes a library, an accoustically perfect performance hall, a large ballroom, five studio pavilions and an outdoor amphitheater.

Ten dancers from OCU's School of American Dance and Arts Management were selected to attend the Argentine Tango workshop held from October 17-20. This workshop was taught by Jorge nel Giraldo and Marta Mandel, professional tango dancers, choreographers, and dance instructors credited with being instrumental in spreading tango across the United States. Hailed as pioneers of the argentine tango genre in Florida, they have served as assistant argentine tango choreographers for the Miami City Ballet. They also appeared in the movie Random Hearts starring Harrison Ford. The students learned the basics of the social tango and also were introduced to skills used in tango for show. The students got to show their stuff the last evening of the weekend at a party held in the ballroom at the facility.

It was a great experience for the dancers involved to learn one more skill that will make them a more marketable performer.