The North Central Arkansas Art Gallery’s featured artists are Sandra Marson and Judy Beale. They have history of art in their 60 year friendship together. “Making Art” is a need for some people – and these two friends have the need to make art. Sandy and Judy met in Jacksonville, Arkansas while attending elementary school. Both were active in music and were baton twirlers in high school. No art courses were available in the Jacksonville schools during their school years, however, the lack of formal art instruction did not prevent either from finding artistic outlets of one form or another from designing dress patterns, to decoupage and tole painting, to making drawings for school newspapers, to designing house plans and kitchen layouts to commercial illustrations for books of poetry, etc. Each has somehow found a way to continually enjoy “making art” even when it was hard to find the time while working full time, raising a family and attending college. From 1981 – 1983 Sandy and Judy owned and ran a small art and framing gallery teaching children with painting and drawing classes. In 1982, Sandy decided to return to college to take art classes until UALR decided she should have a degree plan. Then, she became an English Major. During this time Judy and Sandy and a group of artists would hire a model and do life drawings on Sundays. UALR offered a Plein Air class at Calico Rock with Al Allen as the instructor. Both friends took the class, painting from dawn to dusk. Both completed their undergraduate degrees from UALR – Judy 1972 and Sandy 1991. They graduated with a minor in art. Sandy’s major was English; Judy’s major was art history. In 1988 Judy moved to Memphis, attended the University of Memphis completing her MFA in 1995. Judy has had her paintings juried into numerous exhibits. Sandra is a signature member of the Mid Southern Watercolorist, signature member of the Arkansas League of Artists, a member of the local North Central Arkansas League of Artist, and has also been juried into many shows, won awards, and had One Woman Art Exhibits. They are diversified with their artwork, using most all the paint mediums.
The exhibit has thirty six artists exhibiting their artwork that includes paintings, photography, stain & fused glass, pottery, and bronze sculptures. The North Central Arkansas (NCA) Art Gallery’s mission is to bring quality Fine Art to our community with good taste & family values. The artists are professionals as well as emerging new artists. The submission of artwork is open to all artists and chosen by a selection committee under the direction of Coordinator, Charlotte Rierson. Art Gallery hours are Mon. thru Fri. 9 a.m.-5 p.m. unless special events or conferences interfere (then the hours are extended). The viewing of the art is open & free of charge to the public. All art is available for purchase. The NCA Art Gallery is sponsored by the North Central Arkansas Foundation for the Arts & Education (NCAF&E) in collaboration with The City of Fairfield Bay. For more information contact NCA Art Coordinator, Charlotte Rierson-501-884-6100, email [email protected] or Conference Center Directors, Wilba or Bob Thompson for more information- 501- 884-4202, 110 Lost Creek Parkway, Fairfield Bay 72088.