What's Up - Your guide to what's happening in Fayetteville, AR this week!
Issue link: https://www.epageflip.net/i/1141216
LARA JO HIGHTOWER NWA Democrat-Gazette S ince Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art opened in 2011, the interest in visual arts has done nothing but expand in Northwest Arkansas. From the newly endowed School of Art at the University of Arkansas to the soon-to-launch contemporary art venue The Momentary in Bentonville, that momentum doesn't seem to be slowing down any time soon. In fact, independent art studios and galleries are blooming like flowers all around the area. "I think that what encourages the opening of new galleries is the same impetus that has supported the robust music and theater scene in Northwest Arkansas, and that is a growing diverse and sophisticated audience that wants to experience and support the visual arts," says Jeanne Parham, curator and leadership team member of the well-established gallery Fenix Fayetteville. "Give it up to Crystal Bridges and the forward thinking exhibitions at 21c [Museum Hotel] for awakening this interest in the public. People visit these two amazing organizations, and then they want to see what the local artist community has to offer. "To quote an often used aphorism, 'a rising tide lifts all boats,' so the opening of new galleries will benefit the existing galleries greatly," Parham says. "A community that supports multiple galleries makes the statement, 'we are an art destination.'" Take a look at just a few of the ventures appearing recently on the Northwest Arkansas art scene. Eureka Springs Studio 34 34 N. Main St. Teresa Pelliccio DeVito says she has longed for years to open an art gallery of her own. So when one of her buildings in Eureka Springs lost its tenant, she decided the time was right to make that dream come true. "I had been talking to this group of artists for a minute about doing a gallery, and, when my space came open, we were up and running within a few weeks. As soon as we could get everything painted and make a sign and a counter, we were open." She says the group of artists that joined her — including Robert and Suzanne Norman and Hilka and Rigdon Irvin — were "handpicked." "It's a really fresh space — that's what we get from people: 'It's fresh, and it feels peaceful yet lively and colorful,'" she says. All five artists in the gallery are local. "Robert [Norman] is a master painter — he blows me away," says DeVito. "He does a lot of nature — birds, a lot of 8 WHAT'S UP! JULY 14-20, 2019 FAQ Where to Find Them Studio 34 34 N. Main St., Eureka Springs facebook.com/ teresapelliccioart Art Collective 228 S. First St., Rogers 877-5868 Art and Hazel's Museum Antiques 205 S.E. Second St., Bentonville 619-6428 FEATURE The Eye Of The Beholder Visual arts continue to catch the eye in new venues COURTESY PHOTO Robert R. Norman's bird series is on display at Studio 34 in Eureka Springs.