What's Up - Your guide to what's happening in Fayetteville, AR this week!
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38 WHAT'S UP! OCTOBER 4-10, 2020 4X4 PRESIDENT Brent Powers EDITOR Becca Martin-Brown 479-872-5054 bmartin@nwadg.com Twitter: NWAbecca ASSOCIATE EDITOR Jocelyn Murphy 479-872-5176 jmurphy@nwadg.com Twitter: NWAJocelyn REPORTER Lara Hightower 479-365-2913 lhightower@nwadg.com DESIGNER Deb Harvell ! UP WHAT'S ON THE COVER Texas-based actor Sally Edmundson portrays Texas politician Ann Richards in TheatreSquared's production of "Ann," which will show off the company's new high-definition, high-tech online offerings. (COURTESY PHOTO/WESLEY HITT) What's Up! is a publication of the Northwest Arkansas Democrat-Gazette. Gomez Continued From Page 6 FYI Celebrate Diversity: The Artists Twenty-five artists are participating in Art on the Bricks this month. Learn a little bit more about four of them here and see the work of all at facebook.com/ArtOnTheBricks. Artist Adriana Patrucco's paintings examine everyday scenes using light and shadows to create puzzling settings which lead the observer to ask, "What is behind those settings?" or "Where do these characters come from?" Born and raised in Perú, Patrucco is strongly influenced by the Peruvian indigenous paintings from the first four decades of the 20th century. In particular, she is inspired by the work of José Sabogal and Carlota Carvallo. Adriana's attraction to these artists is reflected in the innovative use of exaggerated facial features and the use of particular colors, reminiscent of those used in Andean folklore. Earlier this year, artist Kinya Christian worked with the Rogers-Lowell Area Chamber of Commerce to curate an art collection reflective of the African diaspora to the modern-day black experience in America. "Reflec- tions of the Black Experience" debuted during the February Art on the Bricks Art Walk at the Rogers Experimental House and then migrated to the Rogers Historical Museum. The exhibit took inspiration from The 1619 Project, a group of essays, photos and art published by The New York Times. Christian and a small team of motivated artists put together an exhibit with local and regional artists who worked with the publishers to share this impactful exhibit with the community. Rogers artist Chuck Stout and his sister were raised by a single mom on welfare in the 1950s and 60s. They had playmates of diverse ethnicities all around in their Toledo, Ohio, neighborhood. Stout was accustomed to seeing diverse families of mixed races with a frequently changing popu- lation in his community. "I embrace all people and accept them based on how they treat other people," he explains. Years later, he enjoys painting and sharing images of portraits he has created of his grandchildren. His daughter, who is white, and her part- ner, who is Black, have been friends since high school and together as a couple for 10 years. They are raising their three children. Stout enjoys painting portraits of his family and has also created portraits of two same sex couples which he has given as wedding gifts. His work can currently be seen at Java Dudes Coffee Company and the DTR Market, where he displays and takes orders for custom pet portraits. Bella Vista artist Susan Blackwood loves to paint portraits and landscapes. Her work has been exhibited in hundreds of galleries and museums, published in magazines and earned her signature status and many awards from national and international painting societies. Classically trained, her typical works reflect impressionistic-realism and contemporary styles. She has traveled nationally and internation- ally teaching art classes and workshops in countries including Croatia, Mexico, Venezuela, India, China, Portugal and Spain. Blackwood is part Cherokee, and her art was influenced by her heri- tage while she was in her mid-20s. Her first portraits were of Native Americans. Now, almost 50 years later, the emotions of each person she paints filters through. "Regardless of skin tone or ethnicity, I love to reflect the beautiful souls as I capture the faces of the people I paint," Blackwood explains. Art by Chuck Stout. (Courtesy photo) Art by Kinya Christian. (Courtesy photo) Art by Susan Blackwood. (Courtesy Photo) Art by Adrian Patrucco. (Courtesy photo) about why events like this one are beneficial/ necessary/important to celebrating that diversity? A. Many people in my culture struggle with a feeling of not belonging to the mainstream culture. In many cases, we struggle feeling unwelcome. Events like this one help remind us that we are part of the culture. We are now contributors on many aspects of the economy and consumer demand. We have had a lot of doors open. My extended family is a constant reminder that I am welcome in this culture, and this is my new homeland. These events are that additional reminder that we are welcome to contribute to the arts and that we want to be heard; not only at home, with our families and friends. Q. You've been in the Northwest Arkansas area for a while now. Can you talk about the changes that have happened over the last couple of decades, especially to the arts culture, and how that has that affected you as an artist? A. I have seen an increase in interest for my artwork, and I have noticed a change in my artwork as well. I have grown from my experiences in Arkansas. The subcultures in Arkansas have influenced my artwork and have changed my way of expressing my thoughts. I have noticed that I am not the only case. Many Hispanic artists are also getting influenced by our adoptive culture. We are not replacing the culture of our ancestors, but we are carrying with us to the next generation and letting our artwork mesh together. The result is a revival of artistic expression that pulls from a rich set of cultures and influences. Q. What do you hope people get out of events like the Arts on the Bricks? A. I hope people have an opportunity to meet artists and cultures that they may have not been familiar with in the past. What I love about sharing my artwork is how universal the art language is. Sometimes pieces where I created from what I brought from my culture and I added from my life experiences in Arkansas capture the attention of non-Hispanic [people]. It bridges both cultures. One of those pieces is "Leña cortada" (Cut Wood). In this piece I added symbols in the background. They resemble Aztec details from "petate" (bed) engravings, and then I added a strong line drawing of a log of wood being struck by a hatchet. The image is part of my experiences in Arkansas and working outdoors. The last part of the painting is pouring paint in the style of Jackson Pollock, one of my main art influences. Art on the Bricks provides the highlight that lets people know of this new movement of Hispanic artists who contribute to the arts in the United States as part of the American culture.