The South Arkansas Arts Center’s 2024 Juried Art Competition and Exhibition is now open for viewing in the Merkle and Price Galleries. This exhibition brings together a diverse range of artistic talents from around the country, featuring a curated selection of 42 pieces created by 33 artists. Join SAAC for an evening of art, refreshments, and celebration to honor these talented artists at a reception on Saturday, July 13 from 6pm to 7:30pm with the award presentation at 6:30pm.
Juror David Houston, Executive Director and Chief Curator of the Ohr-O’Keefe Museum in Biloxi, Mississippi, has selected a broad array of works that showcase the artistic excellence of artists from across the nation. The exhibition features artists from Arkansas, New York, Illinois, Texas, Louisiana, Florida, New Jersey, Massachusetts, Ohio, Georgia, Missouri, and Alabama. Of the 33 artists’ works included in the exhibition, 13 of those artists coming from south Arkansas and north Louisiana.
The exhibition represents a variety of artistic styles and mediums including everything from charcoal, acrylics, oil, photography, to video, just to name a few. From traditional fine art to contemporary mixed media, the exhibition is sure to delight art enthusiasts and newcomers alike.
“We are thrilled to bring this exhibition to our community,” said Katherine McDonald, SAAC’s Visual Arts Committee Chairperson. “David Houston’s expertise has resulted in an outstanding selection of artworks that showcase the talents of artists from across the country. We invite everyone to come and experience this incredible exhibit for themselves.”
The Juried Art Competition, hosted by SAAC, is juried by nationally recognized art professionals and is open to all artists across the nation ages 18 and older who work in two-dimensional and three-dimensional fine arts media. One piece from the competition selected by the juror will be purchased by SAAC to become part of their permanent art collection. The Annual Purchase Award is made possible through an endowment from the family of Wilma Riley in memory of her commitment to the arts, her community, and SAAC.
While attending the exhibit please cast your vote for The People’s Choice Award, the only award in the competition selected by the viewing public. During the reception, over $2000 in prize money will be presented by juror David Houston for best of show, first through third place, honorable mention, and the purchase award.
This exhibit will hang in the Price and Merkle Galleries through July 23 and is free and open to the public Monday-Friday, 9:00am-5:00pm. For more information about the Juried Art Competition Exhibition or the awards reception, please call the SAAC office at 870-862-5474. SAAC is located at 110 East Fifth Street, El Dorado, Arkansas.
