Illusion-making art: 14th annual ANA art exhibit crosses mediums in latest installation
Posted on Friday, November 28, 2008
URL: http://www.nwanews.com/nwat/WhatsUp/71544/
The 14th Annual Artists of Northwest Arkansas Regional Art Exhibition is on display at the Arts Center of the Ozarks in Springdale through Dec. 19. More than 80 works from artists in 10 states are included in the exhibit.
ACO2/BROOKE McNEELY Northwest Arkansas Times
The oil painting "Dr. Brian" by Bonnie Runnels of Fayetteville is this year's best of show.
14th ANNUAL ARTISTS OF
NORTHWEST ARKANSAS
FALL REGIONAL
ART EXHIBITION
When: through Dec. 19; hours are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday and 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturdays
Where: Arts Center of the Ozarks, 214 S. Main St., Springdale
Admission: free
Phone: 751-5441
Illusion-making art
14th annual ANA art exhibit crosses mediums in latest installation
BY KEVIN KINDER
Northwest Arkansas Times
If there weren't descriptive signs beside the artwork, it might lead to confusion.
That's because many of the pieces contained in the 14th Annual Artists of Northwest Arkansas Regional Art Exhibition defy genre.
Lowell resident Cheryl Barton's photograph "Arkansas Water Color" looks very much like its title indicates: it more closely resembles a water color than a photograph.
There is also Allison Ausley of Farmington's graphite drawing "Business Partners," which is so realistic it might be mistaken for a photograph.
Or take a look at the photograph "Audrey" by Lorinda Gray of Siloam Springs, which resembles a carefully composed still life painting as much as it does its true source of creation.
These works, and dozens others, are part of the annual exhibit and on display through Dec. 19 at the Arts Center of the Ozarks in Springdale.
And according to what some of those who have seen the collection are saying, it could be the best exhibit yet, said Carolyn Bayley, the ANA member who serves as show chairwoman.
In all, 81 works from the 275 that were submitted were chosen for inclusion in the exhibit by juror Bruce Peil, a realist painter who lives in east Texas.
"His selections were really outstanding," Bayley said. "We've got some great artists in this area."
Towns such as Fayetteville, Farmington, Siloam Springs, Bella Vista and other local communities are well represented, but that only makes up part of the ANA show. Artists from 10 states -- Arkansas, Kansas, Missouri, Oklahoma, Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Tennessee, Kentucky and Illinois -- were eligible for inclusion in the gallery.
The number of out-of-state entries has increased greatly since competitors were allowed to submit examples of their work via electronic images on a compact disc or on a slide, Bayley said.
The show includes works of all genres like water colors, oils, mixed media, ceramics, photographer and more.
The winners of the competition have already been announced. This year's top prize honors and $1,000 award went to Bonnie Runnels of Fayetteville for the painting "Dr. Brian," an oil image of a man reading a book.
Second place and $500 went to Nancy Harkins of Tulsa, Okla., for her watercolor "Late In The Day, Rocheport." Third place and $300 was claimed by Carol Roberts of Fayetteville for her oil work "Brother and Sister."
Other awards, including those for three-dimensional works, best in pastel or colored pencil drawing, best in oil, best in photography and more were also given.
Next year's 15th annual exhibit will take place in July instead of November as in years past, Bayley said. For more details about ANA, visit www.artistsnwarkansas.org.