ENTERTAINMENT BUZZ
Deana McCloud
helps keep Guthrie’s spirit alive
By Julie Wenger Watson
TULSA, Okla. – After more
than four years at the
helm of the Woody Guthrie
Center, Executive Director
Deana McCloud still loves
her job. McCloud believes
Guthrie’s message of
positive social change
is still relevant today,
especially for the younger
generation.
McCloud oversees the
Guthrie archives, exhibits,
educational programming
and memorabilia housed
in a red brick building in
the heart of the Tulsa Arts
District. “I think one of the most
important things that
young people can learn
from Woody is written
at the top of the stairs
entering our gallery,” she
explained. “It’s one of my
favorite Woody quotes
to empower others: ‘I am
out to sing songs that will
prove to you that this is
your world and that if it
has hit you pretty hard
and knocked you for a
dozen loops, no matter
what color, what size you
are, how you are built, I
am out to sing the songs
that make you take pride
in yourself and in your
work.’”
“I have the best job
ever! Sharing this positive
message in what is often
a pretty negative world is
the biggest honor I could
ever imagine,” McCloud
said.
McCloud’s interest in
the Okemah-born folk
hero dates back to her
involvement with the
annual Woody Guthrie
Folk Festival first held in his
hometown in 1998. Prior
to that, McCloud helped
produce a folk music series
in Tulsa that included
Guthrie tribute shows.
“Through his words, music
and artwork, Woody
shared a message of
equality, diversity and
social justice. The vision of
a better tomorrow based
on these American ideals
is one that fosters inquiry to
discover more about this
man who was so prolific
and creative,” McCloud
said of her interest in
Guthrie’s life and legacy.
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write songs with us,” she
said. “Whether it’s with
the school tour group
or as part of our after
school and summer music
programs, seeing these
young people explore
their creativity as they find
their own voices is always
part of my favorite, most
joyful moment. After all,
that’s why we’re here as a
Center – to inspire them!”
Find more information
and schedule your
WGC visit today at
woodyguthriecenter.org.
“Sharing this positive message in what is
often a pretty negative world is the biggest
honor I could ever imagine.”
– Executive Director Deana McCloud,
Woody Guthrie Center
Through her own work,
McCloud has hosted a
number of VIPs at the
Center – people like Bob
Dylan, John Mellencamp,
Bernie Sanders and Hillary
Clinton. However, her
favorite visitors are still the
kids.
The pure joy comes from
the kids who tour and
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