Suzi Dennis exhibit on display beginning June 3

EL DORADO – The South Arkansas Arts Center will host Hot Springs resident Suzi Dennis’ exhibit, “Colorful World - Art by Suzi Dennis” beginning June 3. The show will hang in the Lobby Gallery until June 29, with an artist’s reception from 5 until 7 p.m. on June 3.

A self-taught working artist, Dennis works out of her studio in her hometown of Hot Springs on Lake Hamilton. When she began drawing and painting around age 10, she never dreamed that she would someday make her living from her art.

“It didn’t come overnight and it’s nothing I’ve spent my life working toward,” she said. “It was a gradual thing.” She spent 25 years working “real” jobs and raising children; it wasn’t until she was over 40 years old that the process began to lead her where she is today. Through the years, she was faithful to continue to sketch, draw and write, recording thoughts and images in journals and sketchbooks.

“One day I said to

myself, ‘I’m ready to paint again,’ and with no thought of it being anything other than just that. I had to get it out,” she said. After 15 years of traveling to art fairs, she returned to nursing for three years. She officially retired in April 2012 and is now back in her studio full time.

A mixed media artist, she said she loves layers and her focus at this time is painting paper, making and using paper tape, using these and up-cycled materials to create handmade journals and collages. Dennis also teaches workshops online and in her studio, as well as teaching with Art & Soul Retreat Workshops in Oregon, Missouri and Virginia.

The Lobby Gallery is open from 9 a.m. until 5 p.m. Monday- Friday this exhibit is free and open to the public. SAAC is located at 110 E. Fifth St., El Dorado.