WORDS / ARKANSAS ARTS COUNCIL

The 2021 Small Works on Paper, an annual touring visual arts exhibition that showcases the work of Arkansas artists, will open at 10 a.m. Tuesday, Feb. 2, at the Batesville Area Arts Council’s Gallery on Main at 226 E. Main 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 in the Gallery on Main through Feb. 27. The gallery is open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesdays through Fridays and from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturdays. No opening reception is planned. The gallery will follow safety protocols related to COVID-19.

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 cheri.leffew@arkansas.gov. 

About the Arkansas Arts Council    

The Arkansas Arts Council, an agency of Arkansas Heritage, advances the arts in Arkansas by providing services and supporting arts endeavors that encourage and assist literary, performing and visual artists in achieving standards of professional excellence. In addition, the Arkansas Arts Council provides technical and financial assistance to Arkansas arts organizations and other providers of cultural and educational programs. Other agencies are the Arkansas Historic Preservation Program, Arkansas Natural Heritage Commission, Arkansas State Archives, Delta Cultural Center in Helena, Historic Arkansas Museum, Mosaic Templars Cultural Center and the Old State House Museum. Funding for the Arkansas Arts Council and its programs is provided by the State of Arkansas and the National Endowment for the Arts. Arkansas Heritage is a division of the Arkansas Department of Parks, Heritage and Tourism.