Look Here! Art for More Than Art's Sake
Photo Exhibit Honors 90 Years of Red Cross Comfort and Aid
Last updated Thursday, March 13, 2008 8:23 PM CDT in Entertainment
By Becca Bacon Martin
The Morning News
Related Photos
Sometimes art isn't just for art's sake. That's true about the new exhibit opening Saturday at the Rogers Historical Museum.
"American Red Cross: Ninety Years of Saving Lives in Northwest Arkansas" was produced by the museum in partnership with the Northwest Arkansas Chapter of the American Red Cross and honors the work of the organization both locally and across the nation.
Clara Barton, first known for her service during the Civil War, when she risked her life to bring supplies and support to soldiers in the field, founded the Red Cross in 1881, recounts Gaye Bland, the museum's director, and the Northwest Arkansas Chapter was originally chartered in 1918 as the Washington County Chapter.
"Nationwide, the American Red Cross has been providing relief to and serving as a medium of communication between members of the armed forces and their families since the Spanish-American War," Bland says. "During World War I, the Red Cross staffed hospitals and ambulance companies and recruited registered nurses to serve the military. During World War II, the Red Cross again provided extensive services to the U.S. military, Allies and civilian war victims. It enrolled over 100,000 nurses for military service, prepared millions of packages for American and Allied prisoners of war, and shipped tons of supplies overseas.
"Today trained volunteers continue to help military families prepare for deployment and stay connected through emergency communications," Bland continues. "Red Cross volunteers are available 24/7 to service men and women and their families. Last year, the local chapter handled nearly 700 emergency communications, including birth announcements, notifications about family emergencies, and, unfortunately, death notifications. It is fitting that the motto of the local chapter is 'Where heroes are trained,' since every year thousands of people in our community are trained to save lives through Red Cross training in CPR, first aid, water safety, and baby-sitting safety."
Bland points out that Red Cross emergency services are driven almost entirely by volunteers.
"Nearly every day, selfless people go out into the community to provide relief to those affected by ice storms, tornadoes, floods, and single-family fires. Some even deploy to other areas of the country in large-scale national disasters. Local volunteers helped out in the aftermath of the September 11 terrorist attacks and assisted in the relief effort following Hurricane Katrina."
The exhibit, on show through April 12, will offer a look back at the history of the Red Cross in Northwest Arkansas through photographs, clothing, posters and other items. A presentation on the national history of the American Red Cross will complete the exhibit, Bland says.
The Rogers Historical Museum is open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday, and admission is free. Information: 621-1154 or visit www.rogersarkansas.com/museum.
'Following the Crop'
Down the road at the Shiloh Museum of Ozark History, a new photo exhibit opens April 29 titled "Following the Crop." The exhibit will explore life at Springdale's migrant labor camp during the 1940s through the 1960s, from the cabins where the farm workers lived to the schools, clinics and social activities provided by aid groups. The museum is looking for images, memories, documents and artifacts that help tell the story of the camp and the people who lived and worked there. Anyone who has history to share is asked to contact Marie Demeroukas at 750-8165 or mdemeroukas@springdaleark.org.
Ozark Art Alliance
The 28th Ozark Art Alliance competitive show, open to artists from Oklahoma, Arkansas, Kansas and Missouri, takes place Saturday on the campus of John Brown University in Siloam Springs.
Artists will drop off their work between 8 and 9:30 a.m., with a demonstration by Charles Harrington from 10 a.m. to noon and a luncheon and critique at 1 p.m. in the Dye Lounge.
Winning artworks will be on show at the Sager Creek Arts Center through April 18.
Information: 524-4000.
Bunnies and Baskets
Spring has sprung at Poor Richard's Art in downtown Rogers, where weavers Margaret Alter and Chris Dahl have created some amazing baskets to welcome the Easter bunny into your home.
"In our fast-paced society, this is a wonderful opportunity to step back and honor a centuries-old custom," says Poor Richard's proprietor Mary Schopp.
Alter, who has been weaving baskets for 12 years, will be demonstrating her craft from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday. The Tapestry Basket, a free-form basket woven from natural plant and textile fibers, and the Antler Basket, in which the deer antler determines the form of the basket, are among her favorites to create, Schopp says. Alter's most recent awards include Best of Show in Creative Crafts and the Best Basket Award at the Benton County Fair in 2007.
Information: 636-0417.
Art to Go
GALLERIES
ARSAGA'S on Crossover at 1852 N. Crossover Road in Fayetteville (527-0690): Paintings by Nathan Beatty, through March.
ARSAGA's at 2418 N. Gregg Ave. in Fayetteville (444-6557): Assemblages and collage sculpture by Jane Peoples, through March.
ART EXPO NWA at the Legacy Building, 401 W. Watson in Fayetteville (361-1211): Art by regional artists; visit www.artexponwa.org for hours.
ARTS CENTER OF THE OZARKS at 214 S. Main St. in Springdale (751-5441): Ninth Annual Celebrate Art! for students, ends Saturday; 25th annual ACO Competition for Northwest Arkansas Senior High Artists, March 21-April 26, with a reception from 1 to 3 p.m. March 29.
COMMUNITY IMAGINATION STUDIO at 818 N. Sang Ave. in Fayetteville (442-8586): Classes for children and adults.
DDP GALLERY at 7 E. Mountain St. in Fayetteville (442-0001): "Crafting Content," ends Saturday.
FLAT ROCK CLAY STUDIO at 2002 S. School Ave. in Fayetteville (521-3181): Works by Oklahoma and Arkansas potters; weekly adult classes in pottery and clay sculpture and open studio memberships; Boston Mountain Potters Association on the second Tuesday at 6 p.m.
FUSION FINE ARTS GALLERY at 109 N. Main St. in Bentonville (273-9278): Works by Mark Rademacher, Nancy Baptiste, Kyle Henry, Stephanie Henry, P.J. and Steve Robowski, Victor Chalfant, Toeri Jackman, Carol Cooper, Eric Haun, Kelly Green and Dan McWilliams; classes with Sean Fitzgibbon, Saturday.
HEARTWOOD GALLERY at 428 S. Government Ave. in Fayetteville (444-0888): An artists' collective of 26 local artists including the lithographs of Charles Banks Wilson and featuring the etched gourds of Pat and Ron Duncan in March.
JOHN BROWN UNIVERSITY ART GALLERY at 2000 W. University St. in Siloam Springs (524-7358): Student Works Show, through Thursday.
JULIE WAIT DESIGNS at 318 S. First St. in Rogers (631-8706): Paintings by Vicki Ross, through April 25.
POOR RICHARD'S ART GALLERY at 116 S. First St. in Rogers (636-0417): Baskets by Margaret Alter and Chris Dahl, through March with a reception from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday.
SAGER CREEK ARTS CENTER at 301 E. Twin Springs St. in Siloam Springs (524-4000): 28th Ozark Arts Alliance competitive show, Saturday on the campus of John Brown University.
UNIVERSITY OF ARKANSAS FINE ARTS CENTER GALLERY in the Fine Arts Building on campus in Fayetteville (575-7987): "Private Property," a two-person exhibition featuring the work of University of Arkansas art professors Tom Hapgood and Bethany Springer, ends today.
ZEPHYR BLEVINS GALLERY, 116 S. Second St. in Rogers (631-8988): Wood turnings by Kip Powers and Harold Stoner, through March 25.
Other galleries in the area include:
• APOLLO FINE ART at 210 S. First St. in Rogers. Information: 366-2787.
• ART at 2204 S.E. 14th St. in Bentonville. Information: 273-0668.
• ART EMPORIUM at 2914 N. College Ave. in Fayetteville. Information: 521-4141.
• ART EXPERIENCE at 641 W. Sixth St. in Fayetteville. Information: 442-0557.
• ARTFUL SPACES at 266 W. Mountain St. in Fayetteville. Information: 582-5554.
• ART RESOURCES at 3291 S. Thompson St., Suite H101, in Springdale. Information: 725-2100.
• CITIZENS BANK GALLERY at 116 E. Buchanan in Prairie Grove. Information: 846-0899 or 846-2738.
• DUCK CLUB GALLERY at 2333 N. College Ave. in Fayetteville. Information: 443-7262.
• 83 SPRING STREET GALLERY at 83 Spring St. in Eureka Springs. Information: 253-8310.
• EUREKAN ART STUDIO AND GALLERY at 150 N. Main St. in Eureka Springs. Information: 253-0928.
• EUREKA THYME at 121 E. Van Buren in Eureka Springs. Information: 363-9600.
• GALLERY WEST at Highlands Crossing in Bella Vista. Information: 273-1798.
• IRIS AT THE BASIN PARK at 8 Spring St. in Eureka Springs. Information: 253-9494.
• J. GALLERY at 311 W. Dickson St., Suite 103, in Fayetteville. Information: 521-2004.
• MULLINS LIBRARY at the University of Arkansas in Fayetteville. Information: 575-4104.
• MYSTIC MELON at 16 S. West Ave. in Fayetteville. Information: 582-9482.
• OZARK GLASSWORKS at 675 E. Huntsville Road in Fayetteville. Information: 387-6773.
• QUICKSILVER ART & FINE CRAFT GALLERY at 73 Spring St. in Eureka Springs. Information: 253-7679.
• RICHLAND NURSERY & ART GALLERY at 500 S. Harris St. in Huntsville. Information: 738-5305.
• SERENDIPITY AT THE CRESCENT at 75 Prospect Ave. in Eureka Springs. Information: 253-2769.
• STUDIO 62 at 335 W. Van Buren in Eureka Springs. Information: 363-9209.
• SUSAN MORRISON'S SIGNATURE GALLERY at 60 Spring St. in Eureka Springs. Information: 253-8788.
• TERRA STUDIOS at 12103 Hazel Valley Road in Durham. Information: 643-3185.
• WISHING SPRING ARTS & CRAFTS GALLERY at U.S. 71 and Benton County 40 in Bella Vista. Information: 273-1798.
MUSEUMS
ARKANSAS AIR MUSEUM at Drake Field, 4290 S. School Ave. in Fayetteville (521-4947): Exhibits on the history of aviation in Arkansas including numerous displays of original artifacts and aviation memorabilia, ongoing.
CLINTON HOUSE MUSEUM at 930 California Blvd. in Fayetteville (444-0066): Exhibits on the life of President Bill Clinton and his wife, Hillary, ongoing.
CRYSTAL BRIDGES AT THE MASSEY at 125 W. Central Ave. (418-5700 or www.massey.crystalbridges.org): International Exhibition of Botanical Art and Illustration from the Hunt Institute, through May 4.
ROGERS HISTORICAL MUSEUM at 322 S. Second St. in Rogers (621-1154): "Discovering the Bluff Dwellers," through December; "Down a Lazy River: Float Fishing on the White River," through December.
SHILOH MUSEUM OF OZARK HISTORY at 118 W. Johnson Ave. in Springdale (750-8165): "Scenes of Boone County," a photo exhibit exploring the county's history, through April 25; "Tech • Knowledge • Gee!" through June; "Play Ball!" an exhibit about the history of baseball in Northwest Arkansas, through July 26.
Other museums in the area include:
• ARKANSAS COUNTRY DOCTOR MUSEUM at 107 N. Starr Ave. in Lincoln. Information: 824-4307 or www.drmuseum.net.
• BELLA VISTA HISTORICAL MUSEUM at U.S. 71 at Kingsland Road in Bella Vista. Information: 855-2335.
• BUD WALTON ARENA RAZORBACK SPORTS MUSEUM at 1207 Leroy Pond Road in Fayetteville. Information: 575-8618.
• DAISY AIRGUN MUSEUM at 202 W. Walnut in Rogers. Information: 986-6873.
• EUREKA SPRINGS HISTORICAL MUSEUM at 95 S. Main St. in Eureka Springs. Information: 253-9417.
• GRAVETTE HISTORICAL MUSEUM at 503 Charlotte St. S.E. in Gravette. Information: 787-7334.
• LOWELL MUSEUM & HISTORICAL SOCIETY at 304 Jackson Place in Lowell. Information: 601-3713.
• OZARK MILITARY MUSEUM at 4360 S. School Ave. in Fayetteville. Information: 587-1941.
• PEA RIDGE NATIONAL MILITARY PARK at 15930 U.S. 62 near Pea Ridge. Information: 451-8122.
• PEEL MANSION MUSEUM & HERITAGE GARDENS at 400 S. Walton Blvd. in Bentonville. Information: 273-9664.
• PRAIRIE GROVE BATTLEFIELD STATE PARK at 506 E. Douglas St. in Prairie Grove. Information: 846-2990.
• SILOAM SPRINGS MUSEUM at 112 N. Maxwell in Siloam Springs. Information: 524-4011.
• TONTITOWN HISTORICAL MUSEUM at 151 Henri de Tonti Blvd. in Tontitown. Information: 361-2498.
• WAL-MART VISITORS CENTER at 105 N. Main St. in Bentonville. Information: 273-1329.
This listing, COMPILED BY ENTERTAINMENT EDITOR BECCA BACON MARTIN, includes art galleries and museums around Northwest Arkansas. Information may be submitted BY FAXING 872-5055 or e-mailing BMARTIN@nwaonline.net. INFORMATION IS ACCEPTED ONLY IN WRITING, and all submitted information is eligible for publication. The deadline to be included is 3 p.m. Tuesday to be listed the following Friday. The listing is free.
Mission: The American Red Cross, a humanitarian organization led by volunteers and guided by its Congressional Charter and the Fundamental Principles of the International Red Cross Movement, will provide relief to victims of disasters and help people prevent, prepare for, and respond to emergencies.
Reader Comments (No comments posted.)
The following comments are provided by readers and are the sole responsibility of their authors. The Morning News does not review comments before their publication, nor do we guarantee their accuracy. By publishing a comment here you agree to abide by our comment policy. If you see a comment that violates our policy, please notify the web editor.
Not already registered?
