MORE THAN
360 SHOWS.
MORE THAN
2000
CONTEMPORARY ARKANSAS ARTISTS.
MORE THAN
YOU THINK.
L
et’s paint the landscape. It’s the early 1970s. You are an artist. You live in Arkansas. The art scene is close to bleak when it comes to exhibiting your art. The state’s largest cultural institution is focused on bringing great art to Arkansas. There are very few galleries in existence, let alone ones focused on Arkansas artists. There is no Boswell-Mourot Gallery, no Gallery 221, no Heights Gallery and no Argenta Arts District. And that is in central Arkansas, the hub of the state’s cultural activity in the 70s. There is essentially no downtown Little Rock public venue focused on exhibiting contemporary Arkansas art, aside from one. And you won’t believe who it is...Historic Arkansas Museum. In 1973, Historic Arkansas Museum (called the Arkansas Territorial Restoration in those days) debuted its Gallery for Arkansas Artists. Today the museum celebrates 40 years of exhibiting, identifying and elevating contemporary Arkansas art. Forty years of fostering an appreciation for the talent that is right here in Arkansas. And see how we have all been rewarded. After decades of Historic Arkansas Museum nurturing a community of Arkansas artists and patrons, we have all seen a resurgence of an interest in local talent. Today, the art scene for Arkansas artists is thriving in a way it never was before. Creativity at the local level is embraced by business owners, cultural
institutions and residents across the state. TWO VISIONARIES AND A CAR Imagine sitting shotgun with two of Arkansas’s great leaders—Peg Newton Smith and Ed Cromwell—as they travel the state in the early 1970s, reaching out to Arkansas artists and artisans to exhibit their work in Historic Arkansas Museum’s gallery and sell their works in the Museum Store. It was clear to these two visionaries that there is a continuum, from the fine and decorative art made in the territorial times that the museum focused on to today’s art and craft. There is a creative legacy that lives on from the 19th century
In 1973, Peg Smith Newton Smith and Ed Cromwell had the idea of supporting contemporary Arkansas art. Forty years later, their vision continues to grow.
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OCTOBER 17, 2013
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silversmith, cabinet maker, itinerant artist, potter—that can be seen in contemporary artists. So, a surprising proposition came about: create a gallery space for living Arkansas artists, artists whose work was contemporary in nature, right smack in the front lobby of a history museum. At the same time as they were looking for artists to exhibit, Smith and Cromwell were scouring the state for handmade crafts to sell in the Museum Store. Because this idea was so fresh and there
www.littlerock.org
was no pre-laid path to follow, the two forged their own way— taking back roads through the state, stopping all along the way on a quest for Arkansas Made. The hand-woven baskets for sale in the store today are made by fourth generation basket makers, carrying on the tradition of parents and grandparents whose craft was sought out by Smith and Cromwell. Eureka Springs and Mountain View were surely stops on their journeys. And what finds! When the Gallery for Arkansas Artists
opened in 1973, among the first to show was Eureka Springs-based artist Louis Freund, one of the state’s most well-known artists. They also reached out closer to home. Little Rock photographer William E. Davis also exhibited in the first show. 2,000 ARKANSAS ARTISTS There have been more than 360 shows in the gallery since it first opened in 1973, featuring works by more than 2,000 Arkansas artists. “Artists are so integral to what’s
The City of Little Rock celebrates 40 Years of Arkansas Art with Historic Arkansas Museum. Since 1973 they have been exhibiting contemporary Arkansas Art in the Gallery for Arkansas Artists. There had been no local public venue before. Thank you for fostering the growth of the local art scene. Facebook.com/CityLittleRock
Follow us on Facebook to learn more about the events and opportunities in our community.
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best about our state,” says Louise Terzia, Historic Arkansas Museum’s development director who began in 1983 as the museum’s exhibit coordinator and designer. “Now we’re seeing the fruition of Mr. Cromwell and Mrs. Smith’s vision— that a vigorous creative class drives economic development in terms attracting new businesses and residents. We’ve seen time and again that Arkansas artists make great community partners, offering creative solutions to all kinds of issues, improving our schools, contributing to a more beautiful environment; as well as generously sharing their knowledge and their work. How many charity auctions benefit from the work of our best artists? What exemplary citizens. What would our state be without them? They are our treasure.” Perhaps this is part of the reason why the museum has invested so much in building the artist community up. Over the years, the museum has not only given countless artists an opportunity to show their work, but has promoted Arkansas artists, hired Arkansas artists (public art projects, murals, events) and purchased their works for the museum’s collection of Arkansas Made. “We are committed to Arkansas artists,” says Terzia. “And this museum will always be here—collecting Arkansas art and supporting Arkansas artists. It’s what we do.” WIDENING THE CIRCLE Historic Arkansas Museum has eagerly joined in efforts to build communities and partnerships with people and institutions interested in the arts. This past July, 2nd Friday Art Night celebrated its 100th night of downtown art and culture. Historic Arkansas Museum was at the table — along with Hearne Fine Art, River Market Artspace and the Arkansas Studies Institute — as this now long-standing, free monthly event was imagined and developed. From that, people interested in art, have found places where they can mingle with like-minded people and see what’s new in the world of art; and a new forum for artists to get their work out has been created. Argenta Arts District was created at about the same time, first with The Arts Scene, then with 3rd Friday Argenta Art Walk, creating a wider circle and giving us all
CONgRATULATIONS TO Historic ArkAnsAs MuseuM ON 40 yEARS OF ART.
Elizabeth Weber
Virmarie DePoyster
Familiar PlacEs, UnknoWn DEstinations noW throUgh noV 2 at
BOSWELL
MOUROT
FINE ART 5815 KAVANAUGH BLVD., LITTLE ROCK, AR 72207 · (501) 664-0030 · boswellmourot.com Arkansas artist William E. Davis was among the first to exhibit in Historic Arkansas Museum’s contemporary gallery in 1973.
more chances to show and share Arkansas artists. The two art communities often lead the way in collaborating across the river, definitely a way to strengthen both cities. Of course, art and art celebrations fill the calendar, not only in Central Arkansas, but all over the state. 2013 finds the Arkansas art scene busy, alive and well! GALLERY FOR ARKANSAS ARTISTS TODAY In 2001, when the newly realized Historic Arkansas Museum reopened, the gallery became the Trinity Gallery for Arkansas Artists, thanks to a very generous donation from the Trinity Foundation. The beautiful new space overlooks the Cabe Gallery—giving visitors an opportunity to compare and contrast 19th century Arkansas art from the permanent collection with the freshest, newest contemporary works by established artists and emerging Arkansas artists. With six changing shows a year, there’s always something interesting to see! There is so much demand for exhibition space that contemporary art exhibits have spread to other parts of the building. It’s contagious! PARTY FOR 40 YEARS! The museum’s big fundraising bash, the Candlelight Gala, on November 9 will be a celebration
of 40 years of exhibiting works by contemporary Arkansas artists. An art-inspired evening has been planned by the museum’s Foundation Board and Gala Chair Vincent Insalaco. The evening will begin with cocktails and hors d’oeuvres as guests compete to be the highest bidders in the silent auction held in the museum’s gorgeous Horace C. Cabe Gallery. Auction items include trips and getaways, entertainment, pampering and fitness, dining, jewelry and, of course, lots and lots of art. New at the Gala this year will be a mobile bidding system; so guests are advised to bring their smart phones. This technology allows for more time visiting with friends, while keeping those bids going! In addition, an online auction site will allow for early bidding—and a chance to preview items—before the night of the Gala. Party goers will then enter lit tents on the museum’s historic grounds for wining and dining on a delicious meal prepared by Copper Grill. During dinner, Stephen Cefalo—recently named Little Rock’s best artist—will begin a figurative painting that will be auctioned off during the exciting live auction following dinner. An evening highlight will be special guests First Lady Ginger Beebe and former First Lady Barbara Pryor who are both known for their support and encouragement of Arkansas artists.
GRAND OPENING
GALLERY 221 & ART STUDIOS 221 JOIN US TO Come in to see our newest sCulptures from santa fe. CELEBRATE ! siri Hollander, daughter of Gino Hollander, is a5-8 sculptor PM with a unique sculptural form in subjects of horses, cattle and other figurative forms. Commissioned works are available.
Fine Art Cocktails Pyramid Place • 2nd & Center St • (501) 801-0211& Wine Hor d’oeuvres
“HOT SEAT” BY CATHERINE RODGERS
Pyramid Place nd 2 & Center St (501) 801-0211
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t o n be o o S A Collector’s Item! Sold Exclusively At
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501.834.2134
The 6Th AnnuAl DelTA VisuAl ArTs show FebruAry 22, 2014 10 Am To 6 pm
A Fine Arts show in Downtown newport, ArkAnsAs
oVer 150 ArTisTs
Hands-on Adult Workshops • Hands-on Children’s Workshops “Children of the Delta” Art Contest • Art Bucks Door Prizes “this is the Delta” Adult Art Contest for registered Artists And much more! Come spend a day in a fine arts environment, look, learn, buy and enjoy!
for more information Call 870-523-1009 newport economic Development Commission 201 hazel street newport, Ar 72112 www.newportaredc.org
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■ Original Stephen Cefalo oil painting created during the Gala! ■ Party to the sweet tunes of the Smittle Band with the extraordinary voice of Stephanie Smittle! Party for 50 at Vince Insalaco’s great house with drinks and appetizers. SPECIAL APPEAL: BUY MORE ARKANSAS ART! New this year! The Tenenbaum Foundation is sponsoring a challenge grant to give party-goers a chance to donate to a fund dedicated to purchasing contemporary Arkansas art! Can’t make the party? You can still contribute! Just visit HistoricArkansas.org and look for the Tenenbaum Foundation matching grant icon. SILENT AUCTION The Silent Auction is filled with great experiences including a pioneer dinner, a day as blacksmith’s apprentice to the master bladesmith, and a duck hunt at Dog Island, the premier private duck club on the prairie. Select from outstanding art—glass, paintings, sculpture, photography and more. You’ll bid on works by Louis Freund, Mike Anderson, Sally Williams, Robin and Harry Loucks, Mike Gaines and others. Of course, great meals, jewelry, services, parties, Crow Mountain dinnerware and much, much more! More great things are being added all the time, go to HistoricArkansas.org and click on the Candlelight Gala icon to see
the latest and bid! It’s quick and easy to register—and completely secure! ARKANSAS MADE The funds raised by the Candlelight Gala will go to buy more Arkansas art for Historic Arkansas’s collection. For nearly four decades, under the leadership of Director Bill Worthen and Deputy Director/Chief Curator Swannee Bennett, the museum has been on the forefront of documenting and researching Arkansas fine and decorative art from pre-history to today. Two volumes of research, Arkansas Made, Vol. I and Vol. II, have been published with two more volumes on the way. Along with researching Arkansas Made, the museum has been collecting examples of works made in Arkansas, including paintings and drawings, textiles, silver, pottery, cabinetry, firearms and knives. Past Galas have raised more $700,000 in an effort to preserve this material culture for generations to come. To purchase tickets online go to HistoricArkansas.org and click on the Gala logo or call 501-324-9351 for personal service.