Art News, Local Events, & Member Highlights
THE ARKANSAS LEAGUE OF ARTISTS'
ANNUAL FUNDRAISING EVENT
WILL BE HELD ON FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 18, 2026
FROM 5:00 PM TO 8:00 PM
ON THE GROUNDS IN FRONT OF THE ARGENTA PUBLIC LIBRARY IN NLR'S ARGENTA ARTS DISTRICT.
THE ARGENTA ARTS DISTRICT'S 3RD FRIDAY ART WALK WILL ALSO BE ON-GOING DURING THIS TIME - ENJOY THE ART SCENE AND MAKE A FEW DONATIONS TO A NON-PROFIT WHILE YOU'RE AT IT.
IT'S ALWAYS APPRECIATED.
Please DROP OFF your donated art pieces by 4:00 PM on September 18 in front of the Argenta Library.
If you can't make this time, please make other arrangements with either Myra Eley at myrameans56@gmail.com or Cathy France at mcfrance73@gmail.com beforehand. Thanks to all in advance for those who participate.
August 2026 ALA Meeting
Ribbon Award Winners
Here are our ribbon award winners for the August ALA meeting held on the 25th (L-R): Diane Huston - 1st Place; Cathy France - 2nd; Sage Arnold - 3rd; Georgia Chastain - 4th; Pam Huddleston - 5th; and, Lisa Warden - 6th Place.
Following is a brief profile highlighting each winning work and the artist.
Diane Huston 1st Place July 2026
"Canada Serenity"
Diane's winning artwork will be on display at the prestigious Art Group Gallery from September 1st thru September 30, 2026.
Cathy France 2nd Place July 2026
"Sunflowers ala V. V. Goch"
Cathy's painting will be on display at the Red Door Gallery and Framing Studio in NLR's Historic Park Hill District from September 1st thru September 30, 2026. Check it out.
Sage Arnold - 3rd Place July 2026
Yet Another Award Winning Watercolor
You can check out Sage's winning artwork from September 1 thru September 30, 2026 at Pyramid Art Books and Hearne Gallery in Little Rock.
Georgia Chastain - 4th Place July 2026
Georgia's pastel works never cease to amaze us. We challenge the viewer to restrain from reaching out to touch those petals - so soft, so smooth. Georgia's mastery of her craft simply shines!
You can view Georgia's work from September 1st thru September 30th, 2026 at the prestigious Draft and Table restaurant at the corner of Broadway and N Main in NLR'S Argenta District.
Pam Huddleston - 5th Place July 2026
Coming up, Pam's winning entry can be found on display at the Argentinean restaurant, "Buenos Aires", in Little Rock's River Market from September 1st - September 30, 2026.
Lisa Warden - 6th Place July 2026
"Fishing With Pops"
Visit the historic Lindsey's BBQ & Hospitality House in NLR where Lisa's winning work will be on display from September 1st thru September 30, 2026.
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Caprise Cooper - Pastelist for ALA's August 2026 Demo Gratified!
Caprise Cooper was our scheduled demo artist for our August meeting held on August 25th. She is the current President of the Arkansas Pastel Society and is an accomplished pastelist who has received a multitude of accolades throughout her career. Following are a few highlights of her presentation. You can find many of her works at the gallery on her website at https://www.caprisecooper.com.
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The Toolbox of a Master Pastelist
Don't touch or a tetanus shot may be in your future - it looks like the rust on this old John Deere is actually falling off the canvas.
Thank you, Caprise Cooper! Your presentation was fantastic, informative and an inspiration for us all. We extend our gratitude to you for time well spent!
Making The Rounds
"Evening at Vinos"
Pastel by Georgia Chastain
Who wouldn't want to drop in at Vino's on a cool early evening for a touch of tonic to take the edge off a hard day, or a cup of hot marshmallowy cocoa with just a touch of "The Recipe" to top off a wee toddy before bed?
Prior to winning 3rd place in the Cityscape/Landscape category in our ALA Members' Show on August 14th, this work in pastels won 2nd place in The People's Choice category at the Arkansas Pastel Society's exhibit at the Argenta District's Thea Foundation Gallery in July. Congrats to Georgia. Her worthy belief in her work certainly continues to pay off. Good job.
Also Making The Rounds
Like Georgia, ALA Member Laura Remmel Powers pursues a chance to share her art whenever the opportunity presents itself as noted above.
This watercolor exhibit of Laura's had its opening Reception at Little Rock's Curran Hall in the Quapaw on September 1st from 6 to 7 P.M. and will extend thru the end of the month.
Laura must never get enough time to dry out her brushes since this solo show is fast on the heels of a joint showing of watercolor works she had with fellow ALA Member, Kim Perkins, when they both exhibited at the Laman's Main Library Gallery back in June and July. There, the walls were awash with color, and we're sure this exhibit at the Curran will surpass its best to compete!
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A Very Special Benefactor
Whenever we get the chance, let's give NLR's Laman Library Gallery and its staff a heartfelt shout out of Thanks for their unrelenting support of the Arts.
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On The Social Media Front
You can search YouTube under ALA Member, "Barbara Rhodes", for various tutorials she has produced which demonstrate her techniques for teaching kids in various artistic disciplines. Check 'em out!
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The Batesville Area Arts Council (BAAC) is Looking Ahead For Art
ALA Member, Myra Eley, will be a participant in the upcoming Batesville Area Arts Council Gallery showing beginning on October 6 and running through November 20, 2026.
This adventure for Myra is also hosted by Gallery 246, a local non-profit, where the event will be hosted.
Myra is an artist AND a storyteller. In this exhibit, she'll show us how she uses a cyanotype as a base in addition to paint, thread & paper to add interest and depth. (Look up "Cyanotype"; it's a fascinating camera-less "photo" process for creating art discovered in the 1800's)
In this exhibit, Myra uses her art to convey the story of life, itself, from its beginning to its final release beyond the stars. Here, she'll be presenting 10 art pieces labeled from "Creation" to "I'll Fly Away" along with 8 of her own interpretive works of art showing aspects of life in between. The following pictures are just a few of her art pieces in the show.
These elements are just a sample of the ten pieces illustrating Myra's dedication, inspiration and expertise in her craft.
Our hope is that these will pique your interest in finding out what the other six artworks might mean to you and encourage you to make a trip to Batesville on November 20, 2026 to support Myra and to hear, in her own words, what verses and songs inspired her on the spiritual journey she took while producing these creative art pieces.
ALSO IN BATESVILLE
A string of exciting Batesville area Plein Air events are also planned now and scheduled to begin just around the corner on October 6 and extending thru October 10, 2026.
Only a few slots remain so See our Plein Air Section within this website for more detailed information regarding pricing and schedules for these plein air events.
"Venues and Vendors"
One of our most prolific Team Leaders, Cathy France, has been an enthusiastic participant in many faire and vendor markets in Arkansas.
Just take a look at the Wall Space below dedicated to Cathy's artwork at one of her latest vendor venues located within The Shoppes at Bowman Vendor Mall in LR (301 S. Bowman). Talk about visibility! Check it out.
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"Our Common Ground"
A Juried Exhibit now showing at Fort Smith's Regional Arts Museum (RAM) and running thru October 25th.
Another ALA Team Leader, Myra Eley, has been selected as a participant in RAM's Annual Juried Invitational Art Show currently being held in Fort Smith. The show began on June 27th and will enjoy a lengthy run thru October 25th.
"High Pollen Count"
"High Pollen Count" is Myra's work on display at the RAM Exhibit. So, plan a trip if you can to Fort Smith's Regional Arts Museum this summer and offer your support for Myra and her creative endeavors.
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ODDS & ENDS
Inspiration Awaits
This photo above is of ALA Member Gary Owen's "studio" where he creates his wonderful watercolors.
It's his response to a challenge extended by one of our members to submit photos of their workplaces; i.e., where do you create your artwork?
We think Gary is BRAVE to share this. How about you? Are you brave?
Clink on the E-mail below to submit photos of your studios to ALA and we'll see just how brave you are.
"Evening at Bluebonnet Chapel"
The above rendering of a nighttime scene in watercolor and gouache was created by ALA member Gary Owen in his studio.
We now know Gary has gladly picked up the gauntlet (brush thrown above) and shows us, once again, that inspiration and artistic accomplishment can come from anywhere and be brushed into creation by the determined and driven artist regardless of their surroundings.
We do, however, know of an excellent "de-clutterer" if you're interested, Gary.
Another Studio "Throw-Down"
A few ALA members have taken up the previous challenge to "throw-down" and share a photo of where they produce their art. Cathy France is another brave soul to share this as shown in her photo above.
What's neat to see is the interesting graphic on the wall of the essential color wheel. While we all likely have these color relationships embedded deep within us, it never hurts to get a little nudge of remembrance now and then.