Join Bob Dylan Center Director Steven Jenkins for an online discussion with Teresa Knox, a primary force in reshaping Tulsa, OK as a can’t-miss music destination through her restoration of The Church Studio, and now a first-time author with “Sanctuary of Sound: The Church Studio Story,” her recounting of the hallowed structure’s remarkable history and modern-day transformation.
As a lifetime fan of Tulsa’s unofficial patron saint, musical visionary Leon Russell, Knox couldn’t pass up the opportunity to rescue the once-magnificent, then-dilapidated building from the wrecking ball, and embarked on a multi-year project to bring back the luster to Russell’s old stomping ground. In the process, Knox has created one of the finest recording studios in the world as well as an immaculately designed yet appropriately funky home for a trove of memorabilia related to the “Master of Space and Time” himself.
Lavishly illustrated with rare photographs and archival materials, “Sanctuary of Sound” is a testament to Leon Russell’s enduring impact, to The Church Studio’s renewed vibrancy as a center of creativity for local and national musicians alike, and to Knox’s own unshakable belief in the importance of placemaking in Tulsa. As she writes of Russell, “He dreamed of creating a space where efficiency met artistry—a place where musicians could collaborate freely, unburdened by the pressures of commercial and financial expectations.” Under Knox’s leadership, The Church Studio continues to fulfill this mission for new generations of musicians and fans.
Zoom in for this virtual chat as Knox discusses “Sanctuary of Sound” and fields questions from Jenkins and attendees.
About Teresa Knox
Teresa Knox is an entrepreneur whose ventures span education, entertainment, real estate and cultural preservation, with a focus on sustainable models that serve the public good. She developed and restored the Harwelden Mansion, a 1923 English Tudor boutique hotel and events center in Tulsa, as well as The Church Studio, both of which are listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Knox also developed Tulsa’s Studio Row district, where she serves as landlord to numerous creative and commercial tenants.
“Sanctuary of Sound: The Church Studio Story” is available for purchase HERE.
Details:
This event will take place virtually via Zoom.
Thursday, Aug. 28, 2025
6 p.m. CT
Tickets:
$5 for nonmembers
Free for Bob Dylan Center members
