NEA BIG READ: Lawton 2025

The NEA BIG Read is a program of the National Endowment of the Arts in Partnership with Arts Midwest.

The National Endowment for the Arts Big Read is designed to broaden our understanding of our world, our communities, and ourselves through the joy of sharing a good book

NEA BIG READ: Lawton Kickoff Museum of the Great Plains 1:00pm - 5:00pm

Art Prints and Shelter Display Museum of the Great Plains 9:00am - 5:00pm

Storywalk Elmer Thomas Park 7:00am - 10:00pm

Nature Scavenger Hunt Nye Library 9:00am - Ongoing

DIY Craft Binoculars Nye Library 9:00am - Ongoing

Storywalk Duncan Public Library 4:30pm

Scavenger Hunt Duncan Public Library 9:30am

Kickoff Life Ready Center 9:00am

Teen Nature Study Duncan Public Library 4:30pm

Book Discussion Lawton Public Library 7:00pm

Nature Storytime Duncan Public Library 11:00am

Panel Discussion Life Ready Center 8:35am - 9:25am

Wildlife Management Duncan Public Library 11:00am

Documentary Night Duncan Public Library 5:30pm

Art Project Duncan Public Library 5:30pm

Scavenger Hunt Nye Library 9:00am - Ongoing

Book Discussion Nye Library 3:30pm

Storytime Nye Library 10:30am

Teen Workshop Duncan Public Library 4:30pm

Book Discussion Cameron University Library 6:00pm

Book Discussion Duncan Public Library 5:30pm

Nature Walk Wichita Wildlife Refuge 7:00am

DIY Workshop Nye Library 11:00am

Author Visit Cameron University McCasland Ballroom 6:00pm

The McMahon Auditorium Authority, in partnership with the City of Lawton Arts and Humanities Division, is thrilled to announce the 2025 NEA Big Read book selection — Fuzz: When Nature Breaks the Law by best-selling author Mary Roach. The NEA Big Read kickoff event is happening on October 18, from 1:00pm-5:00pm at the Museum of the Great Plains. Citizens can expect several speakers, activities for children, and book giveaways. This community-wide reading initiative will take place from October 18 through November, featuring a lineup of events including book discussions, educational programs, and creative activities. The program will culminate with a special author discussion with Mary Roach on December 5, 2025. During this time, readers across Lawton, Duncan, and Fort Sill will explore the witty and thought-provoking pages of Fuzz, which delves into the curious and often comical crossroads of wildlife and human law enforcement.

Mary Roach is the author of seven New York Times bestsellers, including STIFF: The Curious Lives of Human Cadavers; GULP: Adventures on the Alimentary Canal, and PACKING FOR MARS: The Curious Science of Life in the Void. Roach's books have been published in 21 languages, and her second book, SPOOK, was a New York Times Notable Book. Roach has written for National Geographic, Wired, The New York Times Magazine, and the Journal of Clinical Anatomy, among others. She was a guest editor of the Best American Science and Nature Writing series and an Osher Fellow with the San Francisco Exploratorium and serves as an advisor for Orion and Undark magazines.

The NEA Big Read is a national initiative by the National Endowment for the Arts in partnership with Arts Midwest. It encourages meaningful conversations and connections through the shared experience of reading and discussing a single book. Lawton is proud to be selected to participate in the 2025–2026 cycle, receiving a $20,000 grant to support this effort.

The NEA Big Read Initiative in Lawton is presented in collaboration with Amy Ryker from Duncan Public Library, Bart McClenny and Ian Swart from the Museum of the Great Plains, Laurie Kirschling and Jill Manley from Nye Library, Tanya Organ from Lawton Public Library, Maureen Durant from the Life Ready Center, and Dr. Judy Neale from Friends of Elgin Public Library. The event is made possible through the generous support of the National Endowment for the Arts.

For more information and program updates, please contact arts@lawtonok.gov.

For more information on this event, please contact arts@lawtonok.gov or our office at (580)-581-3570.

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