Art News, Local Events, & Member Highlights

 

MAY 2026

MONTHLY COMPETITION WINNERS

Here are our ribbon award winners for the May ALA meeting (L to R): Sharon Franke - 1st Place; Cathy France - 2nd; Jay Ewing - 3rd; Susan Peterson - 4th; Barry Snow - 5th; and, Myra Eley - 6th Place.

Congrats to all the winners and many thanks to all who participated.  In fact, why don't we give each ribbon award winner this month a brief profile; take a look:

Sharon Franke

"Cumulus Clouds"

1st place with her oils on canvas.  Clearly shown is what many consider to be an indicator of her work without having to look for her signature; namely, the bold colors of Turquoise, Ultramarine Blue and Lush Deep Greens -- Beautiful!

Sharon's artwork will be on display at the prestigious Art Group Gallery during the month of July 2026.

Cathy France

"Yellow House at Grayton Beach"

This beautiful acrylic artwork from Cathy shows her attention to detail as evidenced by the dramatic tree and limb work and the equally impressive and contrasting shadow and light.

Cathy's painting will be on display at the recently renovated Red Door Gallery and Framing Studio in NLR's Historic Park Hill District in July.

Jay Ewing

"London Skyline"

Jay's artwork is an excellent example of one of his go-to subject matters: anything and everything architectural, whether it be bridges, skyscrapers or a broad cityscape on the River Thames as this work shows. The details, in watercolor no less, are just fantastic.

You can check out Jay's rendition during the month of July at Pyramid Art Books and Hearne Gallery in Little Rock. 

 

Susan Peterson

"Storms A'Comin"

Susan's artwork in acrylics lends itself comfortably to the notion that abstract creations can be interpreted or "seen" as whatever the viewer has in mind when observing them.

For example, does her work illustrate imminent storms percolating ahead as the title suggests; or Angels in flight toward the Heavens; or the heave of a tsunami over the ruins of a dead volcano somewhere along a beach in the South Seas; or something else?

You decide when you view this work in July at the prestigious and highly- trafficked Draft and Table restaurant at the corner of Broadway and N Main in NLR'S Argenta District.

Barry Snow

"The Cottage"

Barry's acrylic work immediately invokes a nostalgic view of England's country cottages many of us remember from descriptions in old Agatha Christie mystery novels. 

If you look closely, there's even a hint reminiscent of George Seurat's signature brush work - pointillism; he must've made a vacation jaunt from France to the English countryside that weekend.  Great job, Barry!

Coming up, Barry's winning entry can be found on display at the Argentinean restaurant, "Buenos Aires", in Little Rock's River Market during the month of July.

Myra Eley

"The Road Not Taken"

Myra's mixed media winning entry is composed of textiles and found objects and, to this viewer, is illustrative of the artwork's title. It even has a "fork" in it!

This artwork, too, represents Myra's mission to engage and invoke conversation between the artwork and the viewer in order to show the underlying common humanity in all of us. This theme is also conveyed to us through the diversity of her materials combined together in a single work.

So, come on down to Lindsey's BBQ & Hospitality House in NLR and strike up a conversation with the art.  Lindsey's BBQ is where this work will be on display for the entire month of July.

May 2026 Demo Segment

We changed up the demonstration process at our May meeting a little when our Team Leader, Paula Lively, asked members to share their own experiences in navigating the art world today. 

These issues ranged from how to go about selecting a frame (or not); to what obstacles there are in getting gallery representation and the satisfaction it can bring when accomplished; to the broadcast by several members re their frequent involvement in street, food and craft fairs to get their work in front of the public.

So, whatever the event, be it a demonstration of brushwork, the application of watercolors, water-soluable oils, or pastels, or just a communal discussion of all things "Art", these meetings prove invaluable for collecting a reservoir of artistic knowledge useful for our continued pursuit of the arts.  We are forever learning.

 

"The Art of Friendship" Exhibit

A showing of watercolors began on May 15th at the main NLR Laman Library Gallery on Orange Street.

This exhibit is a celebration of shared history, artistic evolution, and the joy of growing older without ever growing up from the artistic hands of watercolorists and ALA members, Kim Perkins and Laura Powers.

The exhibit will also enjoy a lengthy run through July 25th.  Put it on your calendar and come enjoy the show!

"Art On The Border" Exhibit

ALA Member, Jay Ewing, has been announced as a participating artist in this year's "Art on The Border" show to be held in Fort Smith in July.

Stay Tuned for Dates and Times for the Event

"Do You See What I See?" Exhibit

The above showing of watercolors closed on May 8th and was, by all accounts, a resounding success. 

The show was held at one of the most ardent supporters of the arts community, the Argenta Branch of the Laman Library. 

So, whenever we get the chance, let's give the Laman Library and its staff a heartfelt shout out of Thanks for their unrelenting support of the Arts.

On The Social Media Front

You can search YouTube under ALA Member, "Barbara Rhodes", for various tutorials she has produced which demonstrate her techniques for teaching kids in various artistic disciplines. Check 'em out!

Looking Ahead For Art

For those of us who like to plan ahead, keep an eye out for upcoming events in the City of Batesville, coming in October.

First, ALA Member, Myra Eley, will be a participant in the upcoming Batesville area's Arts Council Gallery showing in October; and Second,  Myra keeps in touch with "Gallery 246", a collective of several local Batesville artists who, in addition to sharing studio space, also enjoys an occasional plein air outing;  one is in the planning stages now with more info to come as we get closer to the Fall.

Dates, Locale and Times for the Arts Council Gallery showing and the separate plein air event to be announced.  Stay Tuned.

"Art in Dreamland" Show and Sale

One of our Team Leaders, Cathy France, had the honor of being on top of the leaderboard for sales of both prints and paintings sold at the historic Dreamland Ballroom in their annual Art Showcase recently held on May 2nd.

Each of her art pieces below illustrates Cathy's dedication to her craft. If you look closely at the photo with the crowd, you can glimpse Cathy holding down the fort in her art booth in the midst of an apparently large and enthusiastic group of art connoisseurs.

"Our Common Ground"

A Juried Exhibit coming to Fort Smith's Regional Arts Museum (RAM) in June.

Another ALA Team Leader, Myra Eley, has been selected as a participant in RAM's Annual Juried Invitational Art Show to be held from June 27th thru October 25th in Fort Smith.

We've included a photo of her mixed media entry entitled "High Pollen Count" representing both the trials and blessings of Spring which we all commonly experience such as pollen, inclement weather and BUGS, or its beauty and the hope it offers for our collective futures.

"High Pollen Count"

Congrats to Myra for her selection since, by her own admission, she has only begun to seriously pursue her artistic creations for about a year.  So, plan a trip if you can to Fort Smith's Regional Arts Museum this summer and offer your support for Myra and her creative endeavors.

ODDS & ENDS

Inspiration Awaits

This photo is of ALA Member Gary Owen's "studio" where he creates all of his wonderful watercolors.

He is the first member to respond to a request (more like a gauntlet) when our Membership Chair, Georgia Chastain, "Threw the Brush Down" and challenged all ALA members to submit photos of their so-called "Happy Place" where they create their artwork. 

We think Gary is BRAVE to share this.  How about you?  Are you brave? 

Click on the E-mail below to submit photos of your studios to ALA and we'll see just how brave you are!

"Evening at Bluebonnet Chapel"

The above rendering of a nighttime scene in watercolor and gouache was created by ALA member Gary Owen in his studio.

We now know Gary has gladly picked up the gauntlet (brush thrown above) and shows us, once again, that inspiration and artistic accomplishment can come from anywhere and be brushed into creation by the determined and driven artist regardless of their surroundings.

We do, however, know of an excellent "de-clutterer" if you're interested, Gary.