The 45th Anniversary Sister City Series: San Luis Potosí
Art, Culture, and the Start of Something Global
In 1980, San Luis Potosí (SLP) became Tulsa’s very first Sister City. Nestled in the high plains of central Mexico, SLP is known for its baroque architecture, thriving arts scene, and deep sense of history. It is a place where colonial charm meets modern energy. For longtime Tulsan Clark Frayser, it has become something like a second home.
Clark, who taught art at Eisenhower International School for 20 years, was first introduced to SLP through student exchanges. “I’d been there 11 times, chaperoning trips and visiting schools,” he says. “I didn’t speak much Spanish, but I immersed myself in everything else—the art, the history, the crafts.” That curiosity eventually led him to Tulsa Global Alliance, where he now chairs the San Luis Potosí Sister City committee.
Since stepping into that role, Clark has helped strengthen the connection through a mix of cultural exchange and long-term collaboration. “In 2022, I had the honor of cutting the ribbon for their 430th anniversary celebration. That trip helped launch a partnership with the University of Tulsa, where students now travel to SLP annually.”
Education at the Core
Education continues to be a driving force. Teachers from Instituto Cervantes Apostólica, a school located on the grounds of a former monastery, now travel to Tulsa to stay with local families and study English at Tulsa Community College. Four more teachers are arriving this June.
This year also marked a major milestone. Riverfield Country Day School participated in the first student exchange between Tulsa and San Luis Potosí in nearly 15 years. It was a momentous return to in-person youth connections that both cities are excited to build on.
From Fire Trucks to Partnership
The connection between Tulsa and San Luis Potosí goes beyond student exchanges and cultural celebrations. It also includes a remarkable example of practical support—donated fire trucks that continue to make an impact. Years ago, Tulsa retired a fire truck that had served at the airport. Instead of letting it sit unused, the city donated it to San Luis Potosí, where it found a new purpose as a training vehicle for local firefighters.
These donations helped spark a broader relationship between fire departments in both cities. San Luis Potosí firefighters have visited Tulsa for training, and Tulsa’s fire department has played an important role in building those connections. In 2021, the SLP fire department gifted a fountain to the Tulsa Fire Museum as a symbol of the relationship, which was formally dedicated during their visit that October.
At one meeting in SLP, Clark recalls attending a large gathering in a tent. “They opened the side, and there it was—the fire truck we had sent. It still had ‘Donated by the City of Tulsa’ printed on the side. It was a really meaningful moment.”
Today, the truck is used primarily for firefighter training. It stands as both a practical resource and a symbol of what Sister City partnerships can achieve when communities share not just culture, but tools and knowledge.
A Lasting Gift: The Caja de Agua
Soon, Tulsa will have another visible reminder of its connection to San Luis Potosí. A replica of the city’s historic Caja de Agua, a public fountain once used to distribute clean water, will be installed at the Tulsa Botanic Garden. The sculpture was crafted from the same granite as the original and designed by a noted architect.
“It’s a symbol of community,” Clark explains. “And it will be right here in Tulsa.”
Across Communities and Finish Lines
Over the years, the Tulsa–SLP connection has extended into many corners of community life. In 2017, four delegates from San Luis Potosí came to Tulsa to participate in the Tulsa Run. During their visit, they reconnected with community members, shared a pre-race meal with a host family, and had the opportunity to meet Mayor G.T. Bynum.
These types of exchanges, whether through marathons, meals, or municipal meetings, help keep Sister City partnerships thriving.
Why It Matters
“Mexico is one of our closest neighbors and largest trading partners,” Clark says. “SLP isn’t a big tourist city, but it is full of life, history, and creative people.
“These relationships matter. They bring our communities closer, introduce us to new ideas, and build lasting friendships.”
Support the Friendships That Connect Us
For 45 years, Tulsa Global Alliance has supported Sister City relationships that bring the world a little closer to home. These connections grow through exchange, hospitality, and shared experiences. If you believe in the power of people-to-people diplomacy, consider making a donation to help sustain and expand programs like these.
