Our year long celebration began January 6^th with the opening of our Arts-In-Education Exhibit in the galleries of the South Arkansas Arts Center and will continue throughout the year with an outstanding line-up of visual arts shows, theatrical performances and special events. Outlined below is our 50^th Anniversary Schedule:

January

Arts-In-Education Exhibit:

The AIE Program places professional Artists in the public classroom.  These Artists are integrated into the curriculum and use art as a catalyst for lessons in history, science, math, ect.  Students create large works of art during the learning process, many of which are on display chronicling our 35 year history with this program. A reception honoring those involved with this program over the years will be held February 1, 2014.  This exhibit will draw state government officials, educators, artists and philanthropists from across Arkansas.

February

Children’s Arts Exhibit:

In February we continue the arts education theme by hosting a Student Art Competition featuring the work of local student artist.

March

Arkansas Champion Trees:

Mid way through its two year tour around Arkansas, Linda Palmer is the featured artist for March.  Her work explores Arkansas’ natural heritage.  It consists of 18 color pencil drawings of Arkansas champion trees. Because of our geographical location this exhibit will draw patrons from our immediate area as well as patrons from northern Louisiana and north west Texas. Artist reception March 8, 6-8pm.

SAAC Documentary Film:

Production is currently underway for a short 15 minute documentary film about the SAAC and will make its debut late March.

April

Membership Exhibit:

In April William P. Cook and Associates will sponsor the Annual Membership Show. This year, in keeping with the celebration of 50 years of art and artists, there will be no competition.  This exhibit will showcase the work of members of the SAAC. Artist reception April 5, 6-8pm.

Opening Night “SAAC Lunch” Dinner:

April 24^th the El Dorado Golf & Country Club will be celebrating “Opening Night” with dinner options created with the beloved recipes from the former SAAC Lunch.

“Les Miserables”:

Les Miserables, the world’s longest running Broadway show, will be brought to the stage through a collaborative project with the South Arkansas Arts Center, the South Arkansas Symphony Orchestra and the El Dorado High School Thespian Troup 42.  Broadway star Craig Schulman, who portrayed the lead character (Jean Val Jean) in over 2000 productions on Broadway and around the world has been contracted direct as well as taking on the lead role for this production. This production will have a wide audience appeal, and because of Mr. Schulman will provide our area with the only opportunity to see this musical with a Broadway caliber talent at the helm. This musical is scheduled to return to Broadway mid 2014 and will not be available for regional theatres for the foreseeable future so this will be the only opportunity short of New York to see a Broadway actor star in a Les Miserable  production.

May

Legacy & Inspiration: SAAC’s Founding Artists and Current Teaching Artists:

A group of local celebrated artists envisioned an active arts community that would flourish in the galleries and studios of SAAC.  With this exhibit we honor their legacy.  In this tradition, we also include works by the current teaching visual artist of SAAC:  Jorge Villegas, Gay Bechtelheimer, Maria Villegas, Lisa Tarver, and Mike Means. Artist reception May 1, 7pm.

SAAC Lunch Week:

Under the expert leadership from Glenda Jerry, May 5, 7 & 9, the SAAC Galleries will be transformed into “The SAAC Lunch”.  Menu offerings of some of your favorite dishes from this long lost (but not forgotten) treasure of El Dorado will be offered in a setting reminiscent of its original.

Julliard Pianist Colton Peltier:

On May 24th, Julliard and Aspen pianist Colton Peltier will perform on the SAAC stage. This nineteen year old virtuoso, Mr. Peltier will pay tribute to El Dorado’s Van Clyburn, an internationally celebrated classical pianist. This well known pianist will draw audience members throughout the region.

June

Tides & Currents – Contemporary Art Along the Gulf Coast:

Our friends from the Mississippi Gulf Coast will fill the galleries of SAAC in June with sculpture, collage drawings, and paintings June 1-30.  They have previously contributed to our visual enrichment with their exhibits and workshops. Artist reception June 28, 6-8pm.

Ballet Workshop & Performance with Marilyn Russell:

Ballet mistress Marilyn Russell returns to SAAC’s Russell Ballet Studio to conduct workshops and performances.

 July

Juried Art Exhibit and Competition:

Our annual competition exhibit that draws entries from across the country.  This exhibit brings regional artists to El Dorado for the awards reception.

Opening Night “SAAC Lunch” Dinner:

On July 10^th the El Dorado Golf & Country Club will be celebrating “Opening Night” with dinner options created with the beloved recipes from the former SAAC Lunch.

9 to 5 The Musical:

“Working 9 to 5, what a way to make a living!”  In Dolly Parton and Patricia Resnick’s upbeat musical, nominated for over 25 awards, we’ll follow Doralee, Violet and office newcomer Judy as they embark on a wild ride of revenge against their sexist boss, Franklin Hart, Jr.  The girls take you back to the 1970s, to the world created by the movie of the same name, and you get an inside look into their heartache, struggle, happiness and empowerment.  As with all of our summer musical productions, this show is sure to draw audience members from Shreveport to Little Rock and everywhere in-between.

 August

SAAC Permanent Collection Exhibit:

SAAC has a notable and growing permanent collection of both local and international artists.  Our August show will spotlight note worthy creations from a variety of mediums.

 September

Clementine Hunter Exhibit:

Clementine Hunter:  Her name is synonymous with Louisiana Primitive Art and we will have an unprecedented opportunity to enjoy well-known examples as well as pieces making their gallery debut from local private collections.  Tom Whitehead, the noted Clementine Hunter Scholar and author of the recently published “Clementine Hunter: Cane River Artist” will curate this exhibit.  This is a 60 day world class exhibit that will appeal to and draw art lovers from throughout the southern United States.

El Dorado Film Festival:

September 18-20, SAAC will produce the first annual  El Dorado Film Festival. All film genres will be accepted and screened over 3 days. Awards will be given. The festival is being produced with assistance from the Arkansas Film Commission and the Arkansas Motion Picture Institute.  Film festivals historically draw large crowds from their regions and I anticipate the same results here.

 October

Clementine Hunter Exhibit:

Continues

Zinnias, The Life of Clementine Hunter:

For late October, plans are underway for SAAC to present the US touring premiere of Robert Wilson’s new opera “Zinnias: The Life of Clementine Hunter.” This opera production will coordinate with the Clementine Hunter exhibit in the galleries.  This Opera, featuring traditional African American hymns, southern blues and zydeco music genres that made its debut in New Jersey,  January of 2013 will bring audience members from as far away as Dallas and Memphis.

 November

Carroll Cloar Exhibit:

Carroll Cloar is an internationally known Artist and Arkansas Native whose work focused on surreal views of Southern themes and poetically portraying childhood memories.  His work can be found in the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York, the Hirchorn in Washington DC, the Library of Congress and Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art.  Closing our 50^th Anniversary with this two month long exhibit from internationally known artist Carol Cloar will solidify the fact that El Dorado, Arkansas is the place to celebrate southern artists.  This exhibit will have a far reaching appeal.

Johnie Walker Murphy Excellence in Arts Workshop Series:

November 7th-9th, The Johnny Walker Murphy Artist Residency Series will debut with a workshop by renowned California pastel artist Susan Ogilvie. Artists from El Dorado, Little Rock, Shreveport, Monroe and Texarkana have already expressed interest in this workshop.

 December

Carroll Cloar Exhibit:

Continues

Opening Night “SAAC Lunch” Dinner:

This very special final “SAAC Lunch Dinner” will be hosted at the home of long time SAAC supporter and past President Margy Niel and will feature heavy appetizers from the recipes of the former SAAC Lunch.

Encore: 50 Years on Stage at SAAC:

Encore! Encore! Encore!  SAAC revisits musicals, comedies, and dramas from the past and will feature sneak peeks into future seasons!  From coconut bras to jail cell vixens, you don’t want to miss watching this progression through the years!  From Streetcar to Crimes of the Heart, from Harvey to The Producers, there will be something for everyone in this fun, fast-paced tribute to 50 years on stage at the SAAC! This three night performance will bring actors and their families back to the SAAC from far and wide to participate.