What's Up - Your guide to what's happening in Fayetteville, AR this week!
Issue link: http://www.epageflip.net/i/1482255
OctOber 23-29, 2022 What's up! 41 Fyi The Artists Cover Story What's Up! is a publication of the Northwest Arkansas Democrat-Gazette. PresiDeNt Brent A. Powers eDitor Becca Martin-Brown 479-872-5054 bmartin@nwaonline.com twitter: NWAbecca rePorters Monica Hooper mhooper@nwaonline.com April Wallace awallace@nwaonline.com (479) 770-3746 DesiGNer Deb Harvell On The COVeR "Offworld," by artist aaron bleidt of Fayetteville, is representative of his work in freehand digital drawing and print- making "Generally drawn to a minimalist aesthetic, my artworks intend to convey a thought, object, situational experience or emotion in the simplest and most direct way possible," he says. "I also want to give viewers boldness and color and depth, but only enough information to inspire a sense of wonder or relatable introspection, and to open a door for the viewer to fall down their own little contemplative rabbit hole." (Courtesy Image/Aaron Bleidt) Included in this year's showcase are: Bella Vista Paige Dirksen Stephanie Lewis Bentonville ekaterina Kouznetsova Somnath Mukherjee Derek P. Scott Amy terry Jan Waldon Elkins Mim Wynne Eureka Springs John rankine Zeek taylor Fayetteville Maryam Amirvaghefi Jennifer Baugh Whitney Allen Johnston Bell Aaron Bleidt Skye Compton Daniel Coston Lara Felipe Shelby Fleming vincent Frimpong Aaron Giles Kathleen Shannon o'Brien Hale Pat Hennon Kylanna Hardaway Nick Hobbs Susan Idlet Mark Jackson Hank Kaminsky Acadia Kandora Shabana Kauser Maurice Konkle rebecca Ann Latourette Leilani Law Michael Louis LeBlanc Kellie rushelle Lehr Cate McCoy Brian Meyer Shelley Mouber ray Allen Parker Sabine Schmidt Chris Schultz Dea Self Jooeun Seo Steven Schneider Joel Storet Deborah thomas Jody travis thompson South Walker tim Walker Fort Smith Sarah ridgley Amy Scoggins Huntsville Leon Niehues Lincoln eugene Sargent Lowell Scott Litzman Ozark Louise Halsey Rogers terese Conway Cory Corbett Chuck Davis David Gomez Catherine Goenner Pat Lewis Monica McClear Russellville Daniel Kostic Springdale Kinya Christian Kirby Clark Larry Copas Brian elenbarger Anna Kennedy Guyton Shay Holloway Brandon Jennings Milan Jilka Van Buren Mary elkins Westville Katelyn Kingcade Winslow Cindy Arsaga Cheryl Buell Diversity was also a big goal for the exhibition, and both Smith and Thompson feel like that benchmark was reached. "This is a reaffirming kind of show, because it shows you that so many different kinds of people and different ages, from different places in Northwest Arkansas, consider this their community," Smith says. "The overarching feeling I took away from [the opening reception] is how happy everybody was — they were almost ecstatic to be there, looking at the art. It is so reaffirming — life affirming," Thompson says. "I think it also had a lot to do with people feeling like because it's such a huge diversity of age, race, gender, gender identity, everything, when people walk into that gallery, they feel like they belong," Smith adds. "It's not elitist, not preachy — there is something for absolutely every person to connect to." Our Art Continued From Page 9 "First nation Bartender: Roland Pinault" Artist: Chuck Davis of Rogers Photography using historical methods of image capture "I'm happy the Walton Arts Center show is hanging as we celebrate Indigenous People's Day (instead of Columbus Day) as my most recent work reflects upon the soil we stand on and the land we occupy." "Because I Wanted To" Artist: Kinya Christian of Springdale Acrylic, enamel, oil, watercolor, fabrics, digital graphics "My work is reflective of my experience as a Black woman and what gives me life. I often work very quickly, obsessively, until I empty my thoughts with color. My expressions are layered, bright, and seasoned—they keep me balanced as I navigate a world that has long ignored my struggle, my worth, and my voice as a Black woman." "What Would John Do? A Self Portrait" Artist: John Rankine of Eureka Springs Mixed media collage "It's a tongue-in-cheek self portrait of me as my own savior. So often the church has used its pulpit and Bible to attack the LGBTQ community. I cut out the words from a children's book, 'The Story Of Jesus' and rearranged and pasted them to make my own story of self love and empowerment."