Artist reception today to focus on student artists.

The South Arkansas Arts Center will host an artist reception from 2-3:30 p.m. today for “Love and Reflections” by Emmaline Landes and for the 2019 SAAC Student Art Competition.

The reception is free and open to the public.

The SAAC Student Art Competition consists of 70 works by local student artists. Helene Lambert will present awards for four places in each of four divisions, as well as overall Best of Show, at 2:30 p.m.

“I truly enjoy the student competition - I am truly amazed at the quality of artwork that the students in grades K-12 produce,” said gallery manager Kelly Campbell. “We have this competition in alternating years, and I always look forward to it!”

The 2019 Student Art Competition, sponsored by William P. Cook and Associates, PLLC, will be on display in the Merkle and Price Galleries through Feb. 26.

Emmaline Landes’ work will be in the Lobby Gallery. The 16-yearold enjoys all art media, but mainly works with acrylics on canvas. Studying under Maria Villegas, Katie Harwell, Sara Howard and Patrick Johnson, she’s continually evolving.

In 2013, Landes created her own nonprofit project called “Heartworks,” a series of small paintings that she sells and then donates the proceeds to fund charities close to her heart. As a result of “Heartworks” and her charitable giving, she was awarded The Presidential Volunteer Service Gold Medal and The Prudential Spirit of Community Bronze Medal in 2017.

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

For more information, call the SAAC office at 870-862-5474 or visit saac-arts.org.