Sacred Grove by DG Womack - Peoples Choice Award

Womack’s winning painting was among over 50 creations by Eureka Springs artists entered in the show. Over 900 visitors attended and had the opportunity to vote for their favorite work of art. The exhibit was produced by the Mayor’s Arts Council and ended May 31.

Mayor Dani Joy presented Womack the $1,000 first prize check at the mansion Wednesday afternoon. “We’re extremely proud of the amazing talent of the artists who live and work here,’ the mayor commented. “Eureka Springs is truly blessed in that regard.”

Rachael Moyer, director of the Queen Anne Mansion House Museum, agreed. “The out-of-towners who came through the exhibit were almost unanimous in their astonishment that all of these incredible pieces were created by Eureka Springs artists.”

At the presentation Womack discussed how she achieved the 3-dimensional effect. “I started working on this last November,” she began. “To get the textured feel I would paint, say, a flower. Then I had to wait until that dried, and then add another layer. If you repeat that process often enough the paint begins to build up, and eventually you get that texturing.”

According to Womack she had a passion for art early on. However, she put off that interest to begin a career as a petroleum geologist, working on oilrigs. “I had to pay the bills,” she remarked. After being laid off in “the recession before this one,” the Oklahoma native resumed painting and has been “pursuing it in earnest for the past ten years.”

Often referred to as “Mid-America’s Art Capital,” Eureka Springs is home to more than 300 working artists. It was chosen again last year as one of America’s top ten small market arts destinations by AmericanStyle magazine.

Saturday & Sunday, May 28 & 29 from 3:00 to 6:00 p.m. Open to the public.

Jennifer Janesco - 2010 Calender cover art

This year’s group exhibition, “Pinups, Pushups & Glamorous Art”, will be headlined by Internationally acclaimed pinup artist Jennifer Janesko.

Jennifer’s unique paintings have been featured in popular magazines such as Maxim and Playboy as well as appearing in feature films and national television shows and International publications. During the exhibition Jennifer will be on hand to sign autographs and answer questions about her work.

Other Exhibiting Artists include:
Larry Mansker – local Eureka Springs artist who will be exhibiting some of his lesser known nude painting,

Photographer Jeremy Mason McGraw, from 'Eternal Beauty'

Jeremy Mason McGraw – International Photographer Jeremy Mason McGraw will be premiering a brand new concept collection of Photography called “Eternal Beauty”. The exhibition highlights the stunning glamorous photography of an alternate dark world ruled by immortal demons and vampires. These images,  from their top fashion magazine (Eternal Beauty) shed a light on spectacular and sometimes gruesome pastimes and culture of this predator society as it paints faint parallels to the concept of beauty in our own world. This collection was a collaboration between Jeremy and Universal Studios makeup artist LuAndra Whitehurst. The images were shot in and around Eureka Springs utilizing models and artists from Eureka Springs and Fayetteville, AR and Joplin, MO. Be one of the first to see it at Castle Rogue’s Manor!

Sharon Crystal – exhibiting ‘pirate bodices’, handmade brocade and velveteen corsets

Stella Ipswitch – exhibiting handcrafted ‘highfallutin’ Designer Hats

Jeff Horist – exhibiting leather craft including hand-crafted leather armor.

Jeff is a highly accomplished leather-smith who’s work is highly sought after by collectors all over the world. The signature examples of his leather artistry are his amazing full leather suites of armor. Due to health reasons Jeff has not done a public exhibition in seven years. Do not miss this rare chance to meet Jeff and see the some of his most recent creations in person.

and Debbie Sederstrom – exhibits her unique chain-mail jewelry.

The free exhibition and sale is open to the public. Saturday & Sunday 3:00 to 6:00 p.m. at Castle Rogues Manor in Beaver Arkansas. (just outside of Eureka Springs) For directions to Castle Rogue’s Manor visit the website.

The festival atmosphere attracts visitors from the region to shop and visit and meet the artists of Eureka Springs. Turquoise flags will identify participating locations along White Street (on the upper Historic Loop between Kingshighway and Prospect Streets).

ZeekTaylor - co-founder of White Street Studio Walk

White Street Studio Walk - 2009

White Street Studio Walk Entertainment in the Street

Best selling author, journalist and baby boomer expert, Gail Sheehy will be making a presentation at the May 16th Books in Bloom event in an early time slot than previously posted.

Sheehy’s talk on her newest book, Passages in Caregiving: Turning Chaos into Confidence, has been rescheduled from the 4:00-4:45 slot and will now be presented in the Conservatory (or Crystal Dining Room in the event or rain) from 1:00 – 1:45 PM. Nevada Barr, New York Times bestselling author and favored speaker to the fine arts community, originally scheduled for 1:00, will be presenting Life’s A Mystery at 4:00 pm.

Events throughout the Festival from Noon – 5:00 will be held in the Faculty Lounge, in The Conservatory and in the Reader’s Tent on the grounds of the 1886 Crescent Hotel in Eureka Springs. More details on the website.

The Luminary Of The Year is a recognition bestowed upon an individual from the greater Eureka Spring area for their selfless efforts towards the betterment of our community.

The 2010 Luminary of the year is Dee Bright. Dee is being recognized for the scores of hours she devotes to public service each year. In addition to serving as president of The Eureka Springs Preservation Society, Dee also sits on the Historic District Commission and is actively involved in the Eureka Springs Downtown Network. Dee and her husband Rick own two B&Bs in Eureka Springs; The Eureka Springs Hideaway and The Border House.

1886 Historic Crescent Hotel

This ceremony is free and open to the public. We encourage you to join us on the great lawn of The Crescent Hotel, Thursday, May 13th from 8-9pm. Dress is summer casual. There will be light hors d’oeuvres and cash bar.

At approximately 8:30pm, the Luminary Of The Year will ‘throw the switch’ an officially light the inaugural Eureka Springs Grand Illumination.

Dan Zanes & Friends will perform in Basin Park on May 15th

Two things stand out about Zanes: he is making homemade family music and encouraging similar behaviors in friends and neighbors. Second, he is the guy who is always interested in singing along with people, people everywhere. In fact, Zanes has made a mission of introducing his musical friends to his neighborhood friends and then showing everybody not just that they, yes, can play together but that they can also feel pretty good while doing so. In this sense, Zanes is a twenty-first century version of the guy who in the old days used to conduct the town band from the gazebo, though in lieu of a gazebo he’s playing places like Carnegie Hall and the Melbourne International Arts Festival, where no matter how you say it good music is good. He is a ringmaster, introducing new songs and reconnecting people to songs that have always been there, and still are—it’s just that people forgot about them.

This performance is provided as an event of the Artosphere – Arkansas’ Arts + Nature Festival that will be taking place all around the region starting on April 22nd. Artosphere is created and presented by the Walton Arts Center.

Note: There will also be Lantern Painting in the Park as part of the Grand Illumination weekend – fun for the whole family at Basin Park.

Accolades for Zanes & Friends (more info at his website):

Dan Zanes and Friends’ Catch That Train! was the 2007 Grammy Award winner for Best Musical Album for Children (co-released with Starbucks/Hear Music).

“Dan Zanes is enriching the field with his dance-party, hootenanny for the 21st century…”
LA Times

“True children’s music, but executed with such sweet (and un-gooey!) humor, casual multiculturalism and shambling groove that you can call it your own.”
The New York Times

“Wry, rootsy, real American folk music – songs that twist a little plangency into the sweetness of a melody, songs that feel like life.”
Rolling Stone Magazine

With a reputation for attracting big name authors, Books in Bloom has captured the attention of booklovers throughout the state, and this year is no exception. Gail Sheehy, famed author of “Passages,” will be one of the featured speakers, along with Nevada Barr, Steve Berry, Michael Shelden, and Arkansas historian, columnist and author, Tom Dillard.

“People tell us that they can’t believe the level of talent we are able to present,” said Lin Wellford, co-chair of the festival. “It’s almost a year-round effort, and sometimes it takes years to convince an author to come. Nevada Barr turned us down several times. This year she accepted, telling us she admired our persistence!”

In addition, one of this year’s authors, Steve Berry, has offered his services to present a writer’s workshop while he is in the area. The day-long workshop will benefit the Carroll County Historical Society, and takes place on Saturday, May 15, at the Grand View Hotel on the square in Berryville.

Books in Bloom at 1886 Crescent Hotel

Along with scheduled author talks in the conservatory, the gardens surrounding the Crescent Hotel will be filled with local and regional authors and publishers. There will be on-going readings and book signings throughout the afternoon.

“The University of Arkansas Press always has a booth, and they offer some wonderful bargains during our festival,” said Jean Elderwind, who serves as co-chair and also administrator or the Carroll and Madison Public Library System. “In fact, they’ve told us Books in Bloom is one of their best scheduled events. Tim Ernst will also join us this year. His books are well known and wildly popular among our attendees.”

Festival-goers are encouraged to come early and take advantage of a free shuttle service provided to ease traffic congestion. Refreshments will be available throughout the day, provided by Friends of the Library members.

The festival will take place rain or shine, moving onto the hotel veranda, with additional covered space provided by the hotel in case of showers.

Books in Bloom is a project of the Carroll and Madison Public Library Foundation. Visit website for further details.

The inaugural, month-long Eureka Springs Invitational Art Show features two and three-dimensional work created by some of Eureka Springs’ finest artists. Show-goers will be able to vote for their favorite work of art, with the winning artist receiving the $1,000 People’s Choice Award.

Louis Freund's Portrait of Elsa Freund

The show will present a cross section of the styles and media of the many talented artists in the area. Additionally, over a dozen Past Masters will be recognized for their work which pioneered the art movement in Eureka Springs during the past century. Included in the exhibit is a portrait of Elsa Freund painted by her husband, Louis Freund, on loan to the city from Lydia Saltzman of New York City and a number of works by early Ozarks painters on loan from Mitchell’s Folly Antiques & Fine Arts
.
The Queen Anne Mansion Museum re-opens May 1 after a four-year, multi-million dollar renovation. Show hours are 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. throughout May (closed on Tuesdays). Admission to the exhibit is included in the admission price for the Queen Anne Mansion tour ($15), or available separately for $2 (children under 12 admitted free). The Queen Anne Mansion will donate a portion of museum ticket sales to the exhibit’s sponsor, the Eureka Springs Art Council.

The Eureka Springs Invitational Art Show is presented with the co-operation of Cornerstone Bank, the 1886 Crescent Hotel and Spa, and the Queen Anne Mansion Museum, located at 115 W. Van Buren (U.S. Hwy 62).

Queen Anne Mansion by Julie Kahn Valentine

Intermision by Eureka Springs' artist Denise Ryan

More information is available by email or phone: 479-253-6164 or 479-363-6233‎.

Fine Art editions of the 2010 May Festival of the Arts poster are available at galleries.

Each year local artists are given the opportunity to submit their art for the annual May Festival of the Arts poster print. This year’s theme was ‘harmony’ and the winner was Edward C. Robison III.  Using his original photography, Edward features Eureka Springs’ famous Naked Ladies or Surprise Lilies. This commemorative 23rd Annual May Festival of the Arts print will be available beginning April 5th. It is signed and numbered and is available for $35.

Call or visit your favorite Eureka Springs Gallery and order one today!

Gallery Stroll, Eureka Springs, Arkansas

Eureka Springs seems to be a magnet for the creative energies which flow from the many artists and fine craftspeople who make their home in and around this small town. Well-known as an art destination, the city has people who visit on a regular basis from all over the world. Local galleries represent more than 900 local, regional, national, and international artists, so there is always something new to intrigue and delight you.

Every medium imaginable is represented by these amazing galleries. During May, gallery shows will include blown and fused glass, sculpture, photography, paintings and prints, fine jewelry, pottery. Additionally, this year’s theme show, entitled Widgets, Gizmos & Doohickeys!, will feature 30 area artists letting loose their creativity with only size being a parameter for their imagination.

For a complete listing of the shows and their dates, please visit the Eureka Springs Gallery Association website: www.ArtofEureka.com

The galleries invite you to visit Eureka Springs often to see the art that truly is around every corner!