Oliphant
Oliphant · DEMO PREVIEW · Replace imagery and copyThe StudioP. 58

Since 1976

Sarah Oliphant came to New York with a degree in theatre set design and no airbrush experience. Fifty years later, Oliphant backdrops are part of photographic history.

1976Arrival

From South Carolina to New York

Sarah Oliphant finishes graduate studies in theatre set design at the University of South Carolina and moves to New York City.

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NightsOff-Off-Broadway

Office temp by day, scenic artist by night

In her words, “a very incompetent office temp” during the day — and a scenic artist Off-Off-Broadway after dark. “I was struggling, to say the least.”

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The breakYear to confirm

One sky, painted overnight

Photographer Michel Tchevekoff asks for a realistic airbrushed sky for a still life shoot the next day. Sarah has never used an airbrush. She props a 4′ × 6′ sheet of plywood against her refrigerator and paints through the night. It turns out fine.

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Still hereRental inventory

The first skies are still working

She painted many more skies for Tchevekoff. Several of them are still in the rental inventory today.

From the startPartnership

Adelaide Murphy Tyrol

Painter and illustrator Adelaide Murphy Tyrol — Art Students League, Parsons, MFA from the Art Institute of Boston — has brainstormed and painted with Sarah since the studio’s inception. Today she works mostly from her studio in Vermont.

ThousandsCollaborators

Photographers, art directors, stylists

“Michel was the first of the thousands of incredible and talented people that I have been privileged to work with.”

Today2026

The studio

A team of painters in New York, still painting every drop by hand — and still renting the ones painted decades ago.

“I can not describe the joy I feel when I walk into my studio and get to do what I love.”
— Sarah Oliphant
№ 02

The studio today

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Sarah Oliphant

Founder

Came to New York in 1976 from graduate theatre set design. Painted her first sky overnight, against a refrigerator.

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Adelaide Murphy Tyrol

Since the beginning

Art Students League, Parsons, MFA from the Art Institute of Boston. Paints from Vermont; also a botanical and natural-history illustrator.

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Munmun Oliphant-O’Neill

Favorite #129 · #1112 · #1113

Avid equestrian with a rescue horse named Benji — otherwise at the barn or catching a new play.

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Violet Oliphant-O’Neill

Favorite #424

Over 40 tattoos, most of which she did herself. Her first drop for rental stock was #1600.

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Margot Dahlberg

Favorite #1800

Summer means tie-dye — especially her kids’ stained clothes. First concert: Boyz II Men.

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Kitt Catlow

Favorite #161

Years as a burlesque artist and cabaret performer. Still busts out the tassels once in a while.

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Harrison Gilbertson

Favorite: still “under review”

Some photographers say their Oliphant is the most reliable partner they’ve had on set.

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Tanisha D’souza

Favorite #338

Loves working with her hands and a good home DIY project.

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Janiva Taupule

Favorite #1712 · #411

Serial hobbyist: closed terrariums, scrapbooking, anything creative.

№ 03

Contact

Visit

449 Troutman St. Suite B
Brooklyn, NY 11237

Rentals

Requests are confirmed by email. Pick up and return at the studio, or ask us to quote delivery.

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