‘Crossing Borders’ exhibition in Little Rock, Arkansas (Aug 1-10) – full details

Dates: August 1st – 10th, 2013
Address: Oxford American Annex, 1300 Main Street, Little Rock, Arkansas, 72202
Opening times: 12.00 – 6.00pm daily (Aug 1-10)

Six contemporary artists present works that seek to explore the following themes in this community-engaging exposition:
What impact does travel make on an artist’s practice?
What can we learn about our own culture in pieces that represent “The South” as interpreted by artists from afar?

Participating artists:
Chris King, Kimo Minton, Marcus McAllister, Mia Fernandes, Rob Tarbell and Ryder Richards.
See ‘Highlights from the show’ below for individual artist insights.

Community-engaging exhibition events – not to be missed:
> ‘Vernissage’ opening reception – live music by 3 Penny Acre and Southern food presented by the Oxford American - Weds, July 31st, 5.30-9.00pm (free)
[RSVP: via our Contact form or email [email protected]]
> ‘Southern Wines’ Wine Tasting - wines presented by a Southern winery - Friday, August 2nd, 5.30-8.00pm ($10 on the door, reservation essential)
[RSVP essential - places are limited: via our Contact form or email [email protected]]
> Artists’ Talk ‘Crossing Borders’ - with exhibiting artists Chris King and Marcus McAllister, moderated by curator Susan Johnson-Mumford - Saturday, August 3rd, 3.00-4.30pm (free) - arrivals 2.30pm
> Second Friday Art Night – A Downtown Little Rock after-hours event. Friday August 9th, 5.00-8.00pm (free, no RSVP required)
> ‘Finissage’ closing reception – artists Chris King and Marcus McAllister to be in attendance – Saturday, August 10th, 4.00-7.00pm (free, no RSVP required)

Art workshops – ‘The Sketchbook as a Creativity Tool’ – with exhibiting artist Marcus McAllister:
> Saturday intensive workshop: August 3rd, 9.00am – 12.00pm, $50
> 2-day workshop: Monday & Tuesday August 5 & 6, 9 am -4 pm daily, $150
> Weekday evening workshop: Wednesday, August 7th, 5.30-8.30pm, $50

Reservation for art workshops is essential: Send a message via our Contact form straightaway – or email: [email protected]
Image to left: Sketchbook page example ‘Illusion’ by Marcus McAllister

Highlights from the show –
We look at the impact that the move of country has made on the drawings and paintings of Arkansan Marcus McAllister who has resided in Paris for over a decade. With Mia Fernandes, the viewer feels the joy of simple creation. Following undertaking numerous international residencies that ranged from China to Philadelphia, the artist’s current surroundings in the Midi-Pyrenees have enabled a return to genuine expression, also influenced by the natrual beauty of the region. In the case of Rob Tarbell, one finds out how travelling to France changed a practice that has otherwise been firmly planted in Virginia and North Carolina. With Kimo Minton, a sculptor and three-dimensional painter who lives part of the year in London and the other in New Mexico and whose heritage ranges from Hawaii to Japan, we see influences from abstract impressionism with coloring of the desert, and also learn about practical considerations when living between several countries. And in Texan artist Ryder Richards and British photographer Chris King, we are presented with interpretations and distillations of what represents the South, along with associated cultural nuances.

10% of show proceeds will be donated to the Oxford American Literary Project:
The Southern Magazine of Good Writing, to help support its enduring dedication to promote literacy and explore Southern culture through various other creative endeavors.

PRESS INQUIRIES:
Please email [email protected] or call Ryan Harris at (501) 374-0000 ext 212