Echo Alley Public Art Installation by Rachel Hayes Finds New Home in Downtown Tulsa’s Arts District
TULSA, OK — Downtown Tulsa Partnership (DTP) is pleased to announce that Tulsa Arts District will be the new location for artist Rachel Hayes’ Echo Alley, a permanent illuminated public art installation. The project will transform the working alley into a vibrant, light-filled pedestrian experience that enhances safety, celebrates Tulsa’s architectural heritage, and engages with surrounding businesses and attractions. The East Reconciliation Way alley (located on the north side, between Main Street and Boston Ave, is in the heart of the Tulsa Arts District. The alley is adjacent to popular locations like The Tavern and Valkyrie, includes the entrance to Bull in the Alley, and connects to the NYU Tulsa campus. The installation will utilize the alley-facing exteriors of the buildings on the south end of the alley, owned by Sharp Development, who were eager to welcome the project to the district.
Echo Alley is part of a Downtown-wide Alleyway Activation program that aims to improve walkability, increase public art visibility, and enhance safety through creative lighting in underutilized spaces.
This project is supported by PartnerTulsa’s strategic placemaking initiatives, which leverage Public Realm TIF investments to transform urban spaces. By funding Downtown Tulsa Forward and this initiative, PartnerTulsa is committed to creating a vibrant, connected network of inviting public spaces throughout downtown. The project is also supported by Downtown architecture firm Cyntergy and the City of Tulsa Vision Arts Program.
Artist Rachel Hayes’ design for Echo Alley draws inspiration from Tulsa’s iconic Art Deco architecture, translating its geometric patterns and optimistic spirit into contemporary stained glass and light. The installation includes two large glass panels, three smaller sconces, and a dramatic glass banner, all constructed from individually mouth-blown stained glass produced at Monarch Glass Studio in Kansas City. Each piece is set within custom aluminum frames and backlit with warm LED lighting, allowing the work to glow after dark while maintaining durability and low maintenance. Hayes also plans to incorporate a new mural into the design.
“Echo Alley transforms a working downtown alley into an unexpected gallery of light and color,” said Hayes. “It’s a place where beauty and grit exist in harmony, where Tulsa’s incredible Art Deco heritage is celebrated through a contemporary lens.”
Hayes, a Tulsa-based artist since 2016, brings a personal connection to the project. Her practice combines traditional craft techniques with modern materials, resulting in work that feels both timeless and forward-looking. The installation’s materials are engineered for outdoor use, with laminated glass panels designed to withstand extreme weather conditions and eco-friendly LED lighting rated for long-term performance.
Hayes’ selection builds on a growing body of public work in Tulsa. In 2023, she completed The Dome at 924 S. Boulder Avenue as part of the Urban Core Art Project’s fourth temporary public art installation. Titled “Reflection Mode”, the large-scale fabric installation introduced bold color and form into the built environment and marked Hayes’ first major public art project in Tulsa. Her work consistently explores how art can transform everyday spaces into moments of reflection, curiosity, and connection.
“Projects like Echo Alley show how thoughtful public art can do more than beautify a space,” said Jamie Pierson, DTP’s Public Realm and Placemaking Manager. “By introducing high-quality lighting and artistic elements into a previously underutilized alley, we’re improving perceptions of safety while creating a place people want to walk through, linger in, and return to. We’re thrilled to be working with Rachel on a project that balances creativity, functionality, and a deep respect for Downtown Tulsa.”
Sharp Development is the site host for the buildings surrounding Echo Alley. “The Tulsa Arts District has become a staple destination of Downtown Tulsa, attracting visitors, employees, and residents year-round. We’re thrilled to collaborate with Rachel Hayes as she brings this ambitious, artistic vision to life”, said Brian Elliott of Sharp Development.
Installation of Echo Alley is planned for fall 2026, with Hayes present on site throughout the process to ensure the integrity of the final work.
The name Echo Alley reflects the project’s intent to echo Tulsa’s past while creating a new, contemporary destination, one that supports safety, celebrates culture, and strengthens Downtown Tulsa’s public realm.
For updates on the project and installation timeline, visit the Downtown Tulsa Partnership website or social channels.
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About Downtown Tulsa Partnership
Downtown Tulsa Partnership is the nonprofit management organization representing the interests of property owners and businesses in Downtown Tulsa. With a mission to champion a prosperous, vibrant and inclusive Downtown, DTP provides enhanced maintenance, beautification and livability services; mobility and public realm planning; and marketing and place enhancement initiatives — all to benefit Downtown businesses, residents, workers and visitors. DTP is an award-winning member of the International Downtown Association, the premier organization for urban place professionals who are shaping and activating dynamic city center districts. For more information about Downtown Tulsa Partnership, visit DowntownTulsa.com.