Feature Artist for January Heber Springs Artist, Pam Bourland
Pam & her husband retired four years ago and moved to Heber Springs. They had fished The Little Red for years and always dreamed of settling near the river. Pam was born and raised in Memphis. Early working days found her teaching aerobic dancing, being a drug/alcohol counselor in the Army, bartending and waiting tables. While working for the federal government for 15+ years, she obtained her bachelor’s degree from Memphis State. This allowed her to pursue another dream-TEACHING! During 22+ years of teaching K-8, she earned a master’s degree and was awarded Teacher of the Year twice.
Creating has always been a passion which was satisfied through landscape design, interior decorating, building sets for school productions, making bulletin boards, costumes, gifts, skits, etc. Many years ago, while fishing at Lil Red and admiring the beautiful foliage, the idea came to her to collect leaves and imprint them into pottery. TA-DA!! Leaves of Little Red Pottery was hatched! Almost a year ago, she says she finally got “round to it”! Although mostly self-taught, she has taken a few classes here and there and has two wonderful mentors, Cathy Reves and Alan Wilkerson. Pam says “The process of making pottery has taught me so many priceless life lessons that have come along just at the right time in my life. Volunteering with the kids at Sense-able Kidz and watching them create masterpieces brings such joy. Making pottery, spending time with my family that includes four precious grandchildren, enjoying the lake and river life, and hiking with the newly formed Little Red Hiking Club keep this retiree busy, busy!! And, I love it!”
Happy New Year! We hope to have your continued support of the Art Gallery this New Year. We have a very encouraging year with the new hotel opening. Hopefully, this will bring more traffic viewing the art. The Silver Anniversary of the art gallery was a huge success. We want to thank all of you for attending & showing us your appreciation of the arts. The gallery has been visited by hundreds of visitors from all parts of the U.S. Vacationers, time share owners, residents, students, people of all ages and all walks of life have found their way to the North Central Arkansas Art Gallery. Since moving the gallery to the Conference Center we look back with appreciation and thanks to those who have served and supported. The continued effort it takes to keep the gallery open and functioning means that we need to support the artists with purchasing their art. Also there is a donation box that helps with the miscellaneous expenses. It takes all of the many talented and dedicated artists, to all of the faithful volunteers who receive, inventory, and display the art. To all of the people who daily keep the art bountifully on view and most of all who visit, view, and purchase the art. The viewing of the art is open to the public whenever the Conference Center is open. In the season, the Conference Center is open Tues. through Friday from 9:00 am to 4:00 pm. Contact Conference Center Director Wilba Thompson 501-884-4202, [email protected] NCA Art Gallery Coordinator, Charlotte Rierson-501-884-6100.