SEARCY, AR — The 2019 Small Works on Paper, an annual touring visual arts exhibition showcasing the work of Arkansas artists, will open Friday at the Searcy Art Gallery at 300 E. Race Ave.

The visual arts exhibition will be on display from June 7 to July 7 at the Searcy Art Gallery, which is open from noon to 4 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday. Admission is free. A free reception will be held from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, June 22.

The Arkansas Arts Council, a division of the Department of Arkansas Heritage, coordinated the exhibition with the University of Arkansas.

“Small Works on Paper provides Arkansas artists with a wonderful opportunity to have their artwork displayed at multiple locations around the state,” said Stacy Hurst, director of the Department of Arkansas Heritage. “Likewise, patrons and students statewide have the opportunity to see Arkansas’s established and up-and-coming contemporary artists. For more than 30 years, the touring exhibition has showcased a variety of subject matter, styles and techniques. That holds true for this year’s exhibition. You’re sure to find something that captures your interest!”

Small Works on Paper is a juried exhibition that showcases Arkansans’ artwork that is no larger than 18-by-24 inches. Thirty-nine pieces are featured in the yearlong show, which travels to nine galleries statewide. The touring schedule is available online.

Artists in the show are members of the Arkansas Artist Registry, an online gallery of Arkansas artists’ work. The artists in the exhibition are listed on our website.

Robin Dru Germany, professor of photography and associate director at the School of Art at Texas Tech University, reviewed 354 submissions to pick the art in this year’s Small Works on Paper exhibition. Germany also selected three artists for the following awards:

• Best of Show $500 Award recipient: Markeith Woods of Pine Bluff, mixed media, “Do You Remember What I Worked For? “
• Juror’s Choice $300 award recipient: Daniella Napolitano of Little Rock, linocut, “Curia Regis”
• Merit Award $200 recipient: J.P. Bel of Fayetteville, digital photograph, “Repair of No. 2”

For more information on Small Works on Paper, contact Cheri Leffew at 501-324-9767 or [email protected].