LITTLE ROCK – The opening reception for the 2025 Small Works on Paper touring exhibition, organized and sponsored by the Arkansas Arts Council, is planned for 5-7 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 30, at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock’s Windgate Center of Art + Design, located at 2801 S. University Ave.
The reception will feature presentations by artists who are part of the exhibition. The reception is free and offers a first-time look at works from established and emerging visual artists. Refreshments will be served.
The artwork will be on view from Monday, Jan. 13, through Sunday, Feb. 16, at UA Little Rock's Windgate Center of Art + Design.Gallery hours are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesdays through Fridays; 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturdays;and 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. Sundays.The gallery is closed Mondays.
Small Works on Paper is a juried visual art exhibition that showcases artwork no larger than 18- by-24 inches. Now in its 38th year, the exhibition spotlights Arkansas artists who are members of the Arkansas Artist Registry, an online gallery maintained by the Arkansas Arts Council. Most works will be available for sale with all proceeds benefiting the artists.This year’s exhibition features 40 pieces of artwork by 35 Arkansas artists. The exhibition will tour nine venues statewide.
This year's Small Works on Paper entries were juried by Mario A. Robinson, a full-time professional artist based in New Jersey. Originally from Oklahoma, Robinson attended the prestigious Pratt Institute in Brooklyn, New York. He is a figurative painter who works in pastel, watercolor and oils. He is the author of "Lessons in Realistic Watercolor," a comprehensive guide of watercolor techniques. Robinson's work is widely collected by private and public collectors.
As the juror, Robinson reviewed more than 200 artwork entries to select the 40 piecesthat are part of the Small Works on Paper exhibition.Of the selected pieces, three artists' works were selected as purchase awards and will become part of the Small Works on Paper permanent collection. The artists receive cash awards that are equivalent to the value of their artwork. Artwork by the following artists were selectedfor purchase awards: Jennifer Barnett and Derek Slagle, both of Little Rock,and Richard Stephens of Hot Springs.
Participating artists in the 2025 exhibition:
Jennifer Barnett, Little Rock
Maria Botti Villegas, El Dorado
Susan Chambers, Little Rock
Nathan Cook, Conway
Laura Dowling, Little Rock
L.S. Eldridge, Rogers
Sean Fitzgibbon, Fayetteville
Terra Fondriest, St. Joe
Kaci Hazen, Magnolia
Dani Ives, Rogers
Alexia Lams, Pine Bluff
Will Lang, Russellville
Melissa "Mo" Lashbrook, Cabot
Rhaelene Lowther, Magnolia
Kiaya Luper, Van Buren
Dennis McCann, Maumelle
Cheryl McMickle, Marianna
David McRoberts, Sherwood
David Mudrinich, Russellville
Lo Patt, Little Rock
David Rackley, Russellville
Robert Reep, Little Rock
Lynn Reinbolt, Searcy
Krista Schoening, Little Rock
Kasten Searles, Little Rock
Trevor Segraves, Siloam Springs
Gary Simmons, Hot Springs
Derek Slagle, Little Rock
Richard Stephens, Hot Springs
Lam Tze Sheung, Little Rock
Equilla Walker, Little Rock
Carissa Watson, North Little Rock
Steven Wise, Rogers
Mark Wittig, Sherwood
For more information about Small Works on Paper, contact Cheri Leffew, special projects/events manager, at 501-324-9767 or at [email protected].