Small Works On Paper features local artists

RUSSELLVILLE — Two area artists are included in the 2021 Small Works on Paper, an annual touring visual arts exhibition that showcases the work of Arkansas artists, according to a news release from the Arkansas Department of Parks, Heritage and Tourism.

Pat Langewis, of Hot Springs Village, and Gary Simmons, of Hot Springs, are included in the exhibit, which opened in the Norman Hall Gallery at Arkansas Tech University, 203 W. Q St., in Russellville.

“We are excited to be able to recognize the wonderful and diverse talent of visual artists throughout Arkansas,” Stacy Hurst, secretary for the Arkansas Department of Parks, Heritage and Tourism, said in a news release. “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 through Oct. 22. The gallery hours are 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. The gallery is closed on weekends and university holidays.

There will be a reception on Wednesday at 2:30 p.m. Masks are required and no food or drinks will be served.

The Arkansas Arts Council 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 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 release said.

The 2021 Small Works on Paper entries were juried by Judy Ledgerwood, a professional artist and recently retired Professor in the Arts in the Department of Art Theory and Practice at Northwestern University in Evanston, Ill.

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,” Patrick Ralston, Arkansas Arts Council director, said in the release. “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 also 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, 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, and Kendall Schulz, of Bentonville.

Call Cheri Leffew, special events-projects manager, 501-324-9767, or at cheri.leffew@arkansas.gov for more information.