As part of our 50th Anniversary year, Legacy & Inspiration: SAAC’s Founding Artists and Current Teaching Artists is a mixed exhibit of artworks honoring the legacy of our founding artists and representing the contemporary work of the current teaching artists at SAAC. Gay Bechtelheimer said, “You cannot talk about the future of SAAC without looking to the past, for that is where our inspiration comes from.” Legacy artists represented include Myrt Hill, Mamie Hostetter, Marguerite McDavid, Lyda Merkle, Luphelia Middlebrooks, Jeanette Morgan, Betty Norman, George Price, and Wayne Wharton.
“Our SAAC teaching artists carry on this tradition of excellence, and inspire the next generation of South Arkansas’ artists,” she continued. Legacy & Inspiration pays tribute to the artists who envisioned an active arts community that would flourish in the galleries. Current teaching artists represented include Gay Bechtelheimer, Kelly Campbell, Mike Means, Lisa Burton Tarver, Jorge Villegas, and Maria Villegas. Curated by Gay Bechtelheimer and Richard Wharton, the exhibit is sponsored by Louis and Linda Hall.
