Stage Eighteen invites the public to a gallery reception and art exhibition of “Voices,” featuring Scarlet Sims and Suzannah Schreckhise, at 18 E. Center St. in Fayetteville. The opening reception will be held on the first Thursday, November 1, from 5 to 9pm. Exhibited works will be available for purchase and will remain on display through November (October 28-December 1). Admission is free; a cash bar will be available for guests during the reception. Stage 18 Gallery is open the First Thursday of the month and one hour prior to Stage 18 events.

Sims of Little Rock, is a self-taught, mixed-media artist whose work concentrates on human form and function. “For the art community,” Sims stated, “I hope “Voices” will be a call to action. Arkansas needs more social justice art; we artists should be leaders who focus on changing the world, touching people’s hearts and sparking discussion and debate through and with our art.” Her project features the voices of those who were born outside of the United States and moved to Arkansas. Through recordings and QR codes, she creates an audio and visual experience for viewers. “I wanted to speak up and confront this issue and show how we are all people, all similar, all with stories and pasts. Each portrait uses techniques associated with the sitter’s personalities.” With her use of mixed media, she leans more towards urban street art, creating pieces like her 7-foot tall spray paint portraits.

Shreckhise of Fayetteville, an award-winning 2D and sculpture artist, will also be featured with Sims in the exhibit. She was stated saying, “I feel like an artist has a unique opportunity to show with pictures, colors, and forms social issues. When a person sees an issue expressed visually it can often have a strong impact of empathy for the subject being advocated.” After being inspired by a friend of 15 years and the issues he has encountered as the result of being brown or from another country, Shreckhise has used her talent to create pieces, like “Who Should Be On Our Money,” depicting an androgynous George Washington painted in different skin tones. Her featured work will also include “Disposable People,” showcasing the parallels between chicken factory workers and the chickens they work with in the factories, as well as her abstract skin tone paintings, calling attention to the beauty of different skin tones as they are displayed side by side.

Shreckhise is currently authoring profiles of art collectors for The Idle Class.  

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