OKLAHOMA CITY, OK—As the OKC Thunder advance to the Western Conference finals, another powerful movement is taking place off the court—one that uplifts artists across Oklahoma.
“I know people see Oklahoma as a small market,” said D’Angelo Todd, the fan development coordinator for the OKC Thunder. “But we’ve got some big-time artists out here.”
The Thunder Artist Group is a growing collective of Oklahoma-based creatives. The group is actively redefining what it means to be seen, supported and celebrated through one of the NBA’s most community-rooted teams.
The birth of TAG (Thunder Artist Group)
Todd told The Black Wall Street Times that the Thunder Artists Group, TAG for short, focuses on fan development for the basketball team across Tulsa, Oklahoma City and the entire state.
“[TAG] helps represent our team from the fan perspective. We always want to involve the community as much as possible,” he said. With this program, we can have the best of both worlds.”
Todd added that the program provides artists with the opportunity to collaborate with a large corporation while enabling the Thunder basketball team to connect with the masses and engage with fans where they are.
Challenging the perception of the Oklahoma art market
Oklahoma boasts a wealth of artistic talent that has gone overlooked nationally. For years, local artists have confronted the myth that big ideas only originate in big cities.
“People see Oklahoma as a small market,” Todd told The BWSTimes. “But we’ve got some big-time artists out here.”
The Thunder Artist Group aims to dismantle that perception by providing local artists the chance to showcase their talent, one mural, portable court, or painted basketball at a time.
Who are the Thunder artists?
According to Todd, there are currently 11 artists in TAG this year. The group grows by two artists every year.
“It’s a successful program. We’re getting good feedback. We’re trying to grow it as big as possible to keep up with the way the state is going,” he said.
Joshua Jaiye Farrell is a multidisciplinary visual artist who officially joined the Thunder Artist Group in 2024, after years of dreaming and maneuvering his way into the program through community events and connections.
Farrell, an artist based in OKC, creates vibrant, rhythmic paintings that draw from abstract patterns.
“It’s been fun. It’s definitely something new working with a big brand like the Thunder,” he said. “Me and some of my art friends were trying to figure out how to partner with brands so this was a really cool opportunity.”
Farrell painted murals for Thunder pop-up events, designed a custom poster that was displayed on the Jumbotron during a basketball game, and painted a movable basketball court.
Taylor Clark is another visual artist who specializes in digital design and painting. This season is her first year with the Thunder Artist Group after applying for three years and refining her craft.
“Being part of the group is such a blessing. It’s pushed me to grow in areas like digital design, professional communication, and time management,” Clark said.
Clark enjoyed working on several projects with the Thunder, including painting custom basketballs and designing digital graphics for the City Nights posters and a playoff pint glass.
Redefining what a fanbase looks like
As the Thunder fight for a spot in the NBA Finals, their artist group is quietly making history of its own; not just by painting murals or designing posters, but by expanding who gets to belong in the story of Oklahoma sports and culture.
“It doesn’t matter how big your following is,” said Todd. “We’re just trying to give artists the opportunity to showcase their talent.”
For Farrell, Clark and nearly a dozen other creatives across the state, that opportunity is already reshaping careers and the way fans experience the team.
In a state often dismissed as flyover country, the Thunder Artist Group proves that visibility, when paired with investment, can turn overlooked talent into statewide impact.
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