Virmarie DePoyster, a multidisciplinary artist, educator and community leader, will participate in the ARTx3 Campus’ teaching artist residency program in April by leading after-school and public workshops.

The workshops are made possible by the Arkansas Arts Council’s Arts in Education Program.

DePoyster will lead students in an after-school mural workshop at The ARTSpace on Main, 623 S. Main St. during April 2-5, 2024. It is open to any student in sixth grade or above. She will work with the Pine Bluff Community Center and participating students to create a work highlighting famous women of history. Students will learn and explore the process of designing a mural and use those techniques to create a piece of art.

“Women have always played a role in shaping history, but often, for various reasons, their contributions were ignored or overlooked,” DePoyster said. “In this after-school residency, we will explore the lives of Ruby Bridges, Harriet Tubman and Rosa Parks and celebrate their contributions to push our society forward. We will also reflect on the progress toward equality and recognize the work that still needs to be done.”

ARTx3 Campus’ Programs Director Shakeelah Rahmaan said, “We are so excited and looking forward to this after-school program. Virmarie DePoyster has previously worked with us through exhibitions and a Second Saturday Family FunDay event. Her wonderful talents were well received.”

Rahmaan continued, “The mural that we will create with our after-school group is history-based and March is Women’s History Month. The great thing about this piece is that it will not be on a wall, but on a drop canvas, so the ARTx3 Campus can put it up anywhere, and use it when we need it. It will be on display in The ARTSpace on Main for a time. We can’t wait to get started.”

She will also lead a free self-portrait workshop from 1-3 p.m. Saturday, April 6, at The ARTSpace. The workshop is open to the public and for all ages.

“Visitors can explore why it is said that the eyes are the windows to the soul — by drawing their eyes,” DePoyster said.

To participate, register at artx3.org/all-events/self-portraits-with-virmarie-depoyster or call 870-536-3375.

DePoyster, who was born in Puerto Rico and now lives in North Little Rock, explores the complexities of identity in her artwork. She primarily works in pastels. Since 2011, she has taught as part of the Arkansas Arts Council’s Arts in Education roster. She was honored March 8 as the 2024 Governor’s Arts Awards recipient for Arts in Education.

Her exhibition “Beyond Labels | Más Allá De Las Etiquetas” was shown at The Arts & Science Center in 2021. It will be on view later in 2024 at the South Arkansas Arts Center in El Dorado. In the portrait show, DePoyster explores how in today’s world — a melting pot — the labels we assign each other have the power to either divide or connect us. To learn more about her work, visit her website, virmarie.com.

More information about ARTx3’s teaching artist residencies is at artx3.org/teaching-artist-residencies. For additional information, contact Rahmaan at srahmaan@artx3.org or call 870-536-3375.

About The ARTx3 Campus

The ARTx3 Campus is the convergence of art, creativity, and community in Pine Bluff, Arkansas. The campus features three facilities: Arts & Science Center for Southeast Arkansas (ASC), located at 701 S. Main Street, and The ARTSpace and ART WORKS on Main, located at 623 and 627 S. Main Street. All three facilities present programming in the visual arts, performing arts, and STEAM education through exhibitions, performances, classes, and local partnerships. Gallery admission is free. Founded in 1968, ASC is accredited with the American Alliance of Museums and features three exhibition galleries, an interactive youth activity space, and the 232-seat Catherine M. Bellamy Theater. Since 2021, the modern and multipurpose ARTSpace and ART WORKS facilities have hosted live music, local and regional art, diverse workshops, and small productions. For more information, visit artx3.org or call 870-536-3375.

Support is provided in part by the Arts & Science Center for Southeast Arkansas Endowment Fund, the City of Pine Bluff, the Pine Bluff Advertising & Promotion Commission and the Arkansas Arts Council, an agency of the Division of Arkansas Heritage, and the National Endowment for the Arts. Additional operating support is provided in part by the Windgate Foundation, Ben J. Altheimer Foundation, Kline Family Foundation, Relyance Bank and Simmons Bank.

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