From our early days before statehood, the arts have been revered and fostered in Tulsa. In 1905, L. J. Martin, president of the Commercial Club said, "Of course, we did not have any sewers, street paving, parks or sidewalks and not much of a water system, but these facilities were luxuries and could wait, whereas an opera house loomed as an immediate necessity." Today, Tulsa Opera is the 18th oldest opera company in North America - and just one of the gems that make Tulsa's cultural scene shine. Ballet, symphonic performances and other performing arts share the downtown spotlight with a myriad of cultural events, activities, architecture, and art including 18 of Frederic Remington's 22 bronzes.