Bob Dylan Center Opened in Tulsa This Past Week for VIPs, and for the Public It's Tomorrow

Photos courtesy The Bob Dylan Center.
(All photos on this page: Getty Images)

On Thursday May 5, The Bob Dylan Center in Tulsa opened its doors, celebrating with a VIP Grand Opening that drew luminaries and media from around the world. The 29,000-square-foor museum complex features more than 100,000 items created and/or collected by Bob Dylan throughout his life. 

Based on the smidgen we've already seen of the Bill Pagel archives, this is a pretty heady collection of artifacts on a much grander scale than seems possible. Handwritten lyric manuscripts, never before seen photos and film footage, unreleased recordings, art, fan letters and stories have been artfully displayed, making it a first class tribute to one of the most significant artists of the past 100 years.

Mavis Staples  

The Bob Dylan Center just happens to be located within walking distance of the Woody Guthrie Center in Tulsa's blossoming arts district. Both centers are managed under the auspices of the American Song Archives, a project of the George Kaiser Family Foundation, which acquired Dylan's archives in 2016 and Guthrie's in 2010. 

Mavis Staples took the stage for the opening night concert on Thursday, with Pattti Smith and Her Band entertaining Founding Members on Friday. Elvis Costello and the Imposters were the ticket for Saturday night at Cain's Ballroom. Each of these artists have noted the heavy influence Dylan had on their careers.

Bob Dylan Ctr director Steve Jenkins, with Patti Smith

Seeing this image reminded my of Warhol's bigger-than-life "Double Elvis"

Cards from well-wishers after his motorcycle accident in '66.

Tuesday May 10 the Bob Dylan Center will open its doors to the public. Congrats to everyone involved in making this a world-class point of interest for music fans of all stripes. Learn more here at The Bob Dylan Center website.

The video below is a fun re-make of one of the first, and most memorable, music videos in recorded history. 

ABOUT THE CENTER
The Bob Dylan Center® is committed to exploring the myriad forms of creativity that enrich the world around us. The center will serve to educate, motivate and inspire visitors to engage their own capacity as creators. Through exhibits, public programs, performances, lectures and publications, the Center aims to foster lively conversations about the role of creativity in our lives.