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Event honors Saline artists; works chosen for state calendar |
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Wednesday, 31 December 2008 |
The Saline County Library will hold a public reception for three Saline County artists featured in the 2009 Arkansas artists engagement calendar at 5 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 8.
Warren Criswell, Dee Graves and Carol Anna Fullerton Samsel will be discuss their works and sign their pages in the calendar at Herzfeld Memorial Library, 1800 Smithers Drive in Benton.
“It’s exciting to see the talent of Saline County artists recognized on the state level,” Erin Waller, adult services librarian. “We wanted to extend that honor with a celebration in their home county.”
Samsel, whose work will be on display at the library through the end of January, said that although three Saline County artists were chosen, there are many fine artists in the area.
“It’s not surprising since Benton is ideally situated between two established and nationally recognized art centers in Little Rock and Hot Springs,” Samsel said.
“In fact, when my husband and I moved here two years ago, it was this realization that encouraged me to make art again after a long hiatus. Some day, I would like to see Benton, Bryant and my own small town of Haskell become established artists’ communities in their own right.”
Graves, owner of All About Art & Framing at 807 W. South St. in Benton, said it is an honor to be selected for the calendar, which is made possible each year by the Arkansas Governor’s Mansion Association.
“Any Arkansas artist can enter, and this year, a panel selected 88 artists to be featured from a pool of over 300 individuals,” Graves said. “I’m thrilled to be in such good company.”
Featured artists attended a reception at the Governor’s Mansion in September.
“I really feel this calendar can be a boost to the art careers of those featured as well as to general interest in Arkansas art,” Graves said.
Criswell’s work can be viewed at Cantrell Gallery at 8206 Cantrell Road in Little Rock or online at www.warrencriswell.com.
Calendars will be available for purchase at the reception for $25 each, Waller said.
“I hope everyone interested will come out and support these artists and the art scene in Saline County,” Waller said. “It’s going to be a fun evening.”
For more information, call 778-4766 or visit www.-saline.lib.ar.us.
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