Category Archives: Visual Art

Sculpture Vulture: St. John the Baptist

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On the grounds of the St. John Catholic Center are several sculptures.  Today’s entry focuses on the statue which is the focal point of the campus.  The statue of St. John the Baptist sits in front of the Morris Hall.  The campus was founded in the Heights in 1916.

St. John is depicted holding a crucifix in one hand.  With the other hand he is pointing to the sky in the manner of an exhortation.  At his feet is a lamb  looking up at him.  Interestingly, for a person who is depicted in the Bible as wearing camel’s hair, this John is wearing a robe.

Once, St. John the Baptist watched over the seminarians on the campus. Today he is more likely to watch over the various walkers, joggers, pets and others who use the greenspace on the grounds.  In addition, the Arkansas Symphony Orchestra offices are currently located in a building on the St. John campus.

The statue was erected in memory of Thomas Lafferty an early Little Rock business leader.

Marching along 2nd Friday Art Night

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History takes front and center at this month’s 2nd Friday Art Night.

First up, the Butler Center Galleries of the Arkansas Studies Institute are featuring the new exhibit “Making a Place: Jewish Experience in Arkansas.”  This exhibit explores the development of the Jewish community in Arkansas focusing on immigration, isolation and assimilation.

Over at Historic Arkansas Museum, the Smittle Band will be entertaining visitors who are looking at the temporary and permanent exhibits of art and history.  The evening will also feature a sample of wines hosted by downtown’s very own Zin Wine Bar.

The Old State House Museum will be open so that visitors can see the new exhibit “Things You Need to Hear: Memories of Growing up in Arkansas from 1890 to 1980.”

Another exhibit with a history flavor will be at studioMain. The March exhibition is “The History of Our Downtown.”

These and other stops of 2nd Friday Art Night will be open from 5pm to 8pm.  While on-street parking is available near most sites, a free trolley makes stops at each of the venues.  The Arkansas Times is a sponsor of 2nd Friday Art Night.

Sculpture Vulture: St. Andrew

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As runners in the Little Rock Marathon raced downtown today, they went past this sculpture of St. Andrew which sits in front of the Cathedral of St. Andrew near the race course.

The sculpture, St. Andrew – Ave Crux (Behold the Cross) was installed in 1979 under the leadership of Bishop Andrew J. McDonald of the Catholic Diocese of Little Rock and Monsignor B. F. McDevitt, Rector of the Cathedral of St. Andrew.

In 1981, the statue was dedicated as a memorial to Monsignor McDevitt.

The statue, by the sculptor Pedrini, is just under 10 feet tall and is carved out of Carrara marble.  It depicts St. Andrew holding a scroll with the words “Go Teach All Nations” as well as a string bag of fish.

These items pay homage to his background as a fisherman and his work as a disciple who taught and traveled as far as Russia, Turkey and Italy — far journeys from the Holy Land in ancient times.

The saltire, or X shaped cross, stands behind him.  Also known as St. Andrews cross, legend has it that he was crucified on a cross of this shape as opposed to the traditional “T” shape.

Pulaski Heights Picassos

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The Culture Vulture tries to steer clear of promoting fundraisers (because there are so many that every day could be a feature). But just as Picasso broke the rules of the art world, this entry breaks the rule. The reason? As a good friend says “It’s for the children.”

Pulaski Heights Picassos will take place tomorrow night (Saturday, March 3) at Ricks Armory from 6pm to 10pm.  It is a silent and live auction fundraiser for Pulaski Heights Elementary arts programs. The parents and teachers of Pulaski Heights Elementary School believe that the arts are an essential part of a well-rounded education and something that should be available to all students.

Picassos is the primary fundraiser used by the PTA to enhance the arts programs at PHE. Primarily Little Rock artists have donated all or a portion of their proceeds from the sale of the art for auction. More than 100 accomplished artists donated artwork and more than 400 pieces are available for sale.

The artist list includes:

Mary Stuart Arrington
Shelby Baker
Boots Barnett
Elizabeth Bates
Jessie Bates
Louis Beck
Bill Belew
Selma Blackburn
Kissy Blanchat
Mary Bowden
Arden Boyce
Janet Browne
Heather Burkett
Cathy Burns
Becca Carey
Theresa Cates
Ashley Chandler
Jeannie Clifton-Laster
Jane Colclasure
Susan Conley
Jenny Cooper
Morgan Covan
Mitchell Crisp
Cici Davidson
John Deering
Jerry Delavan
Char Demoro
George Dombek
Hamid Ebrahimifar
Gayle Ellis
Tanya Fitzgerald
Jim Flatt		 Wayne Fowler
Jan Gartrell
Tracee Gentry
Dent Gitchel
Doug Gorrell
Jann Greenland
Austin Grimes
Amanda Haskins
James Hayes
Helena
Judy Henderson
Rita Henry
Lora Matthey Hicks
Ellen Hobgood
Gino Hollander
Patricia Holifield
Julie Holt
Joe Homan
John Honey
Judy Honey
Sandy Hubler
Tim Hursley
Donna Hutchinson
Lucy Inserra
Jim Johnson
Don Jordan
Annette Kagy
Carla Koen
Benjamin Krain
Nancy Kubler
John Kushmaul		 Mindy Lacefield
Beth Lambert
David Land
Amy Laser
Ann Laser
Laura Laser
Kathy Lindsey
Missy Lipps
Erin Lorenzen
Ashley Lowry
Christa Masters
Jason Masters
Mark Matthews
Pat Matthews
Matt McLeod
Tonya McNair
William McNamara
Lauren Meredith
Barbara Middleton
Patricia Miller
Herb Monoson
Patty Monoson
Jean Moss
Leslie Nelson
Bob Ocken
Leah Pearson
Michael Peven
Dale Provost
Cherlyon Reid
Richard Reynolds
David Schonert
Darrell Loy Scott		 Gary Scroggs
Thom Shock
Justin Slarks
Liz Smith
Teresa Smith
Bob Snider
Cindy Sorrells
Mary Ann Stafford
Stephano
Babs Steward
Celia Storey
Susan Strauss
Kathy Strausse
Hank Tilbury
Ed Wade
Jeri Warlick
Michael Warrick
Lydia Washburn
Peggy Wenger
Julie West
George Wittenburg
Scotti Wilbourne
Renee Williams
Sherry Williamson
Debra Wolfe
Emily Wood
Melanie Young

Sculpture Vulture: TESTAMENT

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Today’s highlighted sculpture sits on the grounds of the Arkansas State Capitol.  Testament honors the Little Rock Nine who integrated Little Rock Central High School in 1957.

The statues face the Arkansas State Capitol including the Governor’s Office. The irony is that, in 1957, then-Governor Orval Faubus led the efforts to keep Minnijean Brown, Elizabeth Eckford, Ernest Green, Thelma Mothershed, Melba Patillo, Gloria Ray, Terrence Roberts, Jefferson Thomas, and Carlotta Walls from entering the school.

Dedicated in August 2005, Testament was created by John Deering working with Kathy Deering and Steve Scallion.  The project was over seven years in the making from the original concept to the  unveiling.

The bronze sculptures are life-size and depict the students moving forward.  They are dressed in school clothes and carry their books.  Around the perimeter of the sculpture is a series of quotes, one from each of the nine.

(It is appropriate to discuss this sculpture today, since the Oscars are presented tonight (2/26/12). The 1964 Oscar for Best Documentary — Short Subject was awarded for the film Nine from Little Rock.)

 

February Frieze Frame Friday – Nature Friezes

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701 Capitol

Since there was really no freezing weather this February, the architectural friezes have had to do.  The final feature in this series is actually five small friezes on a one story building at 701 West Capitol.

This one story office building sits on a corner with the entrance actually being off the corner instead of a street front.  Though the majority of the building is brick, the granite front entrance wraps around the corner. 

(no idea what this is)

The friezes are spaced at the top of this granite.  According to the Pulaski County Assessor’s office, this building (which is across the street from the Federal Courthouse) was built in 1960.

The friezes, designed in an art deco style, depict scenes of nature.  It is apparent that one is of a bird (an eagle?), one is a duck flying, one is of fish, and one of an antlered animal (an antelope?).

The remaining frieze is a mystery to the LR Culture Vulture. All of the other designs are very detailed yet this one appears to be more stylistic.

Eagle (centered over entrance)

Duck flying (along Capitol Avenue)

Fish swimming (along Capitol Avenue)

Antelope playing (along Capitol Avenue)

Arkansas Arts Center – 54th Delta Exhibition

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"9 Zen Nuns" - Rod Moorhead's Grand Award winner

For the 54th year, the Arkansas Arts Center is hosting the Delta Exhibition.  Now through March 28, this showcases work by artists from Arkansas and its bordering states. This juried exhibition presents innovative and provocative works in all media and showcases current trends in art.

Columbus Museum Executive Director Tom Butler served as juror. He reviewed 900 entries from 427 artists and selected 54 pieces by 50 artists.  To be eligible to participate, one must be a resident of, or native of, Arkansas, Tennessee, Mississippi, Missouri, Louisiana, Oklahoma or Texas.

Butler’s curatorial interests include American art, drawings and photography. Butler has organized over 100 exhibitions of paintings, sculpture, graphics and contemporary crafts. He authored the catalog Lines of Discovery: 225 Years of American Drawing for a touring exhibition presented at the Arkansas Arts Center in 2007.

"Emerging Millstone" by Robyn Horn

The Arkansas artists selected are:

  • Aaron Calvert, Arkadelphia
  • Mac Hornecker, Arkadelphia
  • Cynthia Kresse, Eureka Springs
  • Zeek Taylor, Eureka Springs
  • John Willer, Eureka Springs
  • Kat Wilson, Fayetteville
  • Marian Doville, Fort Smith
  • Steven Jones, Fort Smith
  • Ed Pennebaker, Green Forest
  • John Norris, Jonesboro
  • Paula Wewers, Jonesboro
  • Deborah Allen, Little Rock
  • Melissa Bacon, Little Rock
  • David Bailin, Little Rock
  • John Bridges, Little Rock
  • Carrie Crocker, Little Rock
  • Stephen Driver, Little Rock
  • Endia Gomez, Little Rock
  • Ted Grimmett, Little Rock
  • Robyn Horn, Little Rock
  • Dixie Knight, Little Rock
  • Taylor Shepherd, Little Rock
  • Rebecca Thompson, Little Rock
  • Louis Watts, Little Rock
  • Timothy West, Little Rock
  • Emily Wood, Little Rock
  • Benjamin Krain, Maumelle
  • Heather Beckwith, North Little Rock
  • Keith Melton, North Little Rock
  • Kelly Anderson-Staley, Russellville
  • Laura Terry, West Fork

The 54th Annual Delta Exhibition is sponsored by Janet and Sam Alley. The Grand Award supported by The John William Linn Endowment Fund. The exhibition supported by the Andre Simon Memorial Trust in memory of everyone who has died of acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS).