At a Glance
What: Small Works on Paper
Where: Opens at the Arts Center for Grand Prairie
When: July 5
Cost: Free to the Public
STUTTGART – The 2021 Small Works on Paper, an annual touring visual arts exhibition that showcases the work of Arkansas artists, will open at 9 a.m. Monday, July 5, at the Arts Center of the Grand Prairie at 108 W. 12th St.
“We are excited to be able to recognize the wonderful and diverse talent of visual artists throughout Arkansas,” said Stacy Hurst, secretary for the Arkansas Department of Parks, Heritage and Tourism. “Small Works on Paper showcases artists from every corner of our state and gives art lovers the opportunity to discover emerging artists and experience one-of-a-kind artworks they may otherwise never see.”
The visual arts exhibition will be on display through Aug. 12. The gallery is open with limited viewing hours, so visitors should call 870-673-1781 to confirm the gallery is open. No opening reception is planned.
The Arkansas Arts Council, an agency of Arkansas Heritage, coordinates the exhibition and makes it available for loan to qualifying galleries around the state. The 2021 exhibition kicked off in January at East Arkansas Community College in Forrest City.
The 2021 Small Works on Paper exhibition will feature 26 artists from across Arkansas and will tour to up to 10 venues statewide. Thirty-eight artworks will be on display during the yearlong tour. Most works will be available for sale.
Small Works on Paper is a juried visual art exhibition that showcases artwork no larger than 18-by-24 inches. Now in its 34th year, the exhibition spotlights Arkansas artists who are members of the Arkansas Artist Registry, an online gallery.
The 2021 Small Works on Paper entries were juried by Judy Ledgerwood, professional artist and recently retired Professor in the Arts in the department of Art Theory and Practice at Northwestern University in Evanston, Illinois. Ledgerwood reviewed about 200 submitted artworks to pick out the 38 pieces that are part of the Small Works on Paper exhibition. She also selected works to receive purchase awards, which are cash prizes equivalent to the value of the artworks. Purchase award pieces become part of the Small Works on Paper permanent collection.
“The 2021 Small Works on Paper will be an experience no Arkansan will want to miss. In 2020, Arkansas artists submitted an array of works that capture the emotions, hopes and fears of 2020,” said Patrick Ralston, Arkansas Arts Council director. “Artists are a vital resource for Arkansas, and they are an important component of our state’s vision, heritage, culture and economy.”
The following artists were selected to participate in the exhibit:
Tony Baker, of Little Rock
Win Bruhl, of Little Rock
Ian Scott Campbell, of Batesville
Gary Cawood, of Little Rock
Susan Baker Chambers, of Little Rock
Kinya Christian, of Springdale
Taylor Dolan, of Fayetteville
Laura Fanning, of Little Rock
Terra Fondriest, of St. Joe
Ike Garlington, of Little Rock
Neal Harrington, of Russellville
Tammy Harrington, of Russellville
Diana Michelle Hausam, of West Fork
Crystal Jennings, of Rison
Kimiara L. Johnson, of Pine Bluff
Stephen Koch, of Little Rock
Pat Langewis, of Hot Springs Village
Sandra Marson, of Jacksonville
Dennis McCann, of Maumelle
Moises Menendez, of Magnolia
Cindy Momchilov, of Little Rock
Eloa Jane Pereira, of Fayetteville
David Rackley, of Russellville
Lynn Reinbolt, of Searcy
Kendall Schulz, of Bentonville
Gary Simmons, of Hot Springs
For more information about Small Works on Paper, contact Cheri Leffew, special events-projects manager, at 501-324-9767 or at [email protected]. AAC is taking submissions for the 2022 Small Works on Paper exhibition.