September exhibit opens Friday at Justus’ Gallery
The September Exhibit at Justus Fine Art Gallery will feature a selection of Linda Williams Palmer’s colored pencil drawings from her Arkansas Champion Trees series, watercolor paintings by Gary Simmons, and the lyrical abstract paintings of Tony Saladino. Additional work by Michael Ashley, Robyn Horn, Sandra Sell, Gene Sparling, and others will also be showcased. The show will host a reception from 5-9 p.m. on Friday, Sept. 3 as part of the monthly Gallery Walk in downtown Hot Springs. The exhibit will be on display September 3-30.
Linda Williams Palmer began her Champion Tree series in 2007, when she found the online list of the largest of each species of tree determined by Arkansas foresters. Since then, Palmer has traveled over 20,000 miles, taken hundreds of documentary photographs, and researched the history and science of the trees in preparation to create the tree series. Palmer has had more than 28 solo exhibits, along with inclusion in additional group shows. She has given more than 30 presentations to civic groups and university students highlighting the beauty of Arkansas and its people through her art. Her Champion Tree series inspired an Arkansas Education Television Network (AETN) documentary "Champion Trees" that has won state, national and international awards. The documentary now shows on PBS stations throughout the United States. Palmer’s book, “The Champion Trees of Arkansas: An Artist’s Journey” published by the University of Arkansas Press, is now in its second printing. Along with reproductions of Palmer’s intricate Prismacolor drawings of the trees, the book contains excerpts of the oral histories of the trees, along with their role in the families and communities that love them.
Gary Simmons is a multifacted artist working in numerous media. Along with an extensive exhibition history and long list of collectors, Simmons served as a respected art professor at Henderson State University before recently retiring. He is the author of "The Technical Pen", considered a “must have” for anyone interesting in learning more about pen and ink techniques. Originally published by Watson Guptill in 1992, the book has been republished by Echo Point Books. He has also taught numerous pen and ink workshops throughout the nation at venues including: the Dallas Arts and Crafts Association in Dallas, TX; the National Art Materials Trade Association in Philadelphis, PA and in Arlington, VA; the Flushing Art League in Queens, NY; Allegheny Highland Arts in Clifton Forge, VA: Woodlands Workshop in Vancouver, WA; the Visual Arts Center of NW Florida in Panama City, FL; Rapid City Arts Council in Rapid City, SD; Artist and Display in Milwaukee, WI; the Barnwell Art Center in Shreveport, LA; the Naperville Art League in Naperville, IL; the Arkansas Arts Center in Little Rock, AR; Henderson State University in Arkadelphia, AR; the Daytona Beach Art League in Daytona Beach, FL; Camp Brook Comer Gallery in Bethel, Vermont; and many others.
Owned by artist Dolores Justus, Justus Fine Art Gallery offers a wide range of original art including sculpture, paintings, ceramics, photography, and more by recognized artists.
The gallery is located at 827 A Central Avenue in Hot Springs. Hours are 10 a.m. - 5 p.m., Wednesday - Saturday and by appointment. For more information, call 501-321-2335 or visit online at justusfineart.com.