Tag Archives: Todd Herman

57th Annual Delta Exhibition Winners Announced by Arkansas Arts Center

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arkartsThe Arkansas Arts Center, the state’s premiere center for visual and performing arts, announces awards for the 57th Annual Delta Exhibition, on view through September 20, 2015 in the Jeannette Edris Rockefeller and Townsend Wolfe Galleries.

“Each year, this exhbition  provides unique insight into the incredible work from artists in Arkansas and throughout the Delta region,” said Todd Herman, executive director of the Arkansas Arts Center. “We’re excited to share this exhibition with the community and encourage everyone to take time to visit the Arts Center.”

Artists awarded in the 57th Annual Delta Exhibition include:

Grand Award

Mark Lewis of Tulsa, Oklahoma, for his work titled, Under the Oak (Woodward Park)

Delta Awards

Lisa Krannichfeld of Little Rock, for her work titled, Shirt (in gold), dressed series

Neal Harrington of Russellville, for his work titled, Feather Signal

Honorable Mentions

Michael Preble of Hot Springs, for his work titled, Unintended Consequences

Robyn Horn of Little Rock, for her work titled, Sideways

Aaron Calvert of Arkadelphia, for his work titled, Giving Figure

John Salvest of Jonesboro, for his work titled, Cage A

Laura Terry of West Fork, for her work titled, Ozarks Landscape, Late Summer

David Underwood of Jefferson City, Tennessee, for his work titled, Abandonded Schoolhouse

 

Contemporaries Delta Award

Mark Lewis of Tulsa, for his work titled, Under the Oak (Woodward Park)

Contemporaries Honorable Mention

Neal Harrington of Russellville, for his work titled, Feather Signal

 

“Originality is difficult to come by, and I believe it is the result of the intelligence and sensitivity of the artist. I also believe good art can inspire, surprise, move and sometimes even shock people in a way that they might see the world in a different light,” said guest juror George Dombek. “There are a number of wonderful works of art in this exhibition, and I believe if observers will give serious and careful attention to them, there is opportunity for ample rewards.”

Guest juror George Dombek is an internationally acclaimed watercolorist and previous annual Delta Exhibition exhibitor and award winner. Through a blind jury process, Dombek selected 72 works by 68 artists to be featured out of 882 entires from 380 artists. Of the 68 artists selected, 48 are from Arkansas; in all, eight states are represented in the exhibition.

As one of the most anticipated Arkansas Arts Center exhibitions of the year, the 57th Annual Delta Exhibition provides a unique snapshot of the Delta region by showcasing innovative and provocative two-and three-dimensional works in all media. The exhibition represents the dynamic vision of the artists of the Mississippi Delta region, including Arkansas and surrounding states, and offers visitors a glimpse into the contemporary art scene.

The exhibition is sponsored by Mrs. Lisenne Rockefeller, Bourbon & Boots, The Brown Foundation, Inc. of Houston, Dianne and Bobby Tucker, Janet and Sam Alley and the Capital Hotel. The Grand Award is supported by The John William Linn Endowment Fund. The exhibition is supported by the Andre Simon Memorial Trust in memory of everyone who has died of acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS).

Last Chance to see 30 AMERICANS at Arkansas Arts Center

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30amer30 Americans, the current exhibit at the Arkansas Arts Center, closes on Sunday.

30 Americans showcases works by many of the most important African American artists of the last three decades. This provocative exhibition focuses on issues of racial, sexual, and historical identity in contemporary culture while exploring the powerful influence of artistic legacy and community across generations.

“This exhibition presents a sweeping survey of artwork by many of the most influential African-American artists of the last four decades,” said Arkansas Arts Center executive director Todd Herman. “For years, I’ve searched for an exhibition of this kind but couldn’t quite find what I was looking for – an exhibition with powerful interpretations of cultural identity and artistic legacy. When I came across 30 Americans, I knew this was exactly what I wanted patrons and visitors of the Arts Center to experience. These themes are universal in nature and speak to the larger human experience.”

30 Americans features work by such early and influential artists as Barkley L. Hendricks, Robert Colescott and Jean-Michel Basquiat, and those of younger and emerging artists, such as Kehinde Wiley, Wangechi Mutu and Shinique Smith. Often provocative and challenging, 30 Americans explores what it means to be a contemporary artist through an African-American point of view – whether addressing issues of race, gender, sexuality, politics or history.

Drawn from the collection of Mera and Don Rubell, 30 Americans contains 41 works in a variety of media – paintings, drawings, sculptures, installations, digital videos and photographs – by 30 of the leading contemporary African American artists. The Rubells began acquiring contemporary art in the late 1960s, often forging close friendships with living artists, particularly young artists.

The Rubells collected both backwards and forward, out of which emerged a pattern of intergenerational influence. Consequently, the works that comprise the exhibition afford viewers the opportunity to observe a stylistic dialogue among artists working throughout the past four decades. Now in collaboration with their two grown children, the Rubells continue to assemble one of the largest private collections of contemporary art in the world, which they currently house in a 45,000 square foot former DEA warehouse-turned-museum in Miami, Florida.

 

Robin Hood Steals in to Ark Arts Center Children’s Theatre

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aacctrobinThe Arkansas Arts Center Children’s Theatre presents The Legend of Robin Hood April 24 through May 10.

“The Legend of Robin Hood takes the audience on an action-packed journey that’s familiar to so many generations,” said Todd Herman, executive director of the Arkansas Arts Center. “The audience will be entertained as Robin Hood and his gang take them on adventure after adventure through Nottingham.”

Swords will clash. Arrows will fly. Truth and justice will be championed. From the treetops of Sherwood, the call rings out: “Come to the forest, all ye of stout heart and true. Rally to Robin Hood and his Merry Band as they outwit and outclass the nasty Sheriff of Nottingham. Now is the time to find your heart and your courage. Now is the time to liberate England’s honest poor from the strangling grasp of tyranny.

The cast for The Legend of Robin Hood includes:

  • Noah Kaplan of Virginia Beach VA, as Robin Hood
  • Katie Campbell of Little Rock as Marian of Lea
  • Jordan Taylor of Little Rock as the Old Woman
  • Drew Posey of Jonesboro as the Sheriff of Nottingham
  • Paige Carpenter of Lonsdale as The Prioress of Kirklees
  • Richard Nelson of Little Rock as Forrester Willie
  • Margaret Lowry of Little Rock as Much
  • John Isner of Little Rock as Little John
  • Mark Hansen of Little Rock as Will Scarlet and Sir Guy of Gisbourne
  • Jeremy Matthey of Little Rock as Alan-a-Dale
  • Genevieve West Fulks of Jonesboro as Ellen of Lea
  • Keara Billings of Little Rock as an ensemble member
  • Kate Kelly of Little Rock as an ensemble member
  • Gabriel Moleta of Brazil as an ensemble member

Bradley Anderson is the artistic director. Keith Smith is the playwright for the production. Sets are designed by MA Hare; costumes are designed by Erin Larkin; technical direction by Drew Posey; lighting design by Penelope Poppers; properties design by Miranda Young; fight choreography by Brett Ihler and Sarah Gasser is the stage manager.

The Arkansas Arts Center Children’s Theatre presenting sponsor is Arkansas Blue Cross and Blue Shield and the season sponsor is Dr. Loren Bartole, ‘Family Footcare’; Pay What You Can Night is sponsored by Dorothy Morris.

Arkansas Arts Center Children’s Theatre is supported in part by: The Shubert Foundation, the City of Little Rock; the Little Rock Convention and Visitors Bureau; Arkansas Arts Center Board of Trustees; and the Arkansas Arts Council, an agency of the Department of Arkansas Heritage and the National Endowment for the Arts.

Performances for the public Fridays at 7pm and Saturdays & Sundays at 2pm.

30 Americans exhibit now open at Arkansas Arts Center

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30americans30 Americans, the newest exhibit at the Arkansas Arts Center, opens today.  It will be on display there until June 21.

30 Americans showcases works by many of the most important African American artists of the last three decades. This provocative exhibition focuses on issues of racial, sexual, and historical identity in contemporary culture while exploring the powerful influence of artistic legacy and community across generations.

“This exhibition presents a sweeping survey of artwork by many of the most influential African-American artists of the last four decades,” said Arkansas Arts Center executive director Todd Herman. “For years, I’ve searched for an exhibition of this kind but couldn’t quite find what I was looking for – an exhibition with powerful interpretations of cultural identity and artistic legacy. When I came across 30 Americans, I knew this was exactly what I wanted patrons and visitors of the Arts Center to experience. These themes are universal in nature and speak to the larger human experience.”

30 Americans features work by such early and influential artists as Barkley L. Hendricks, Robert Colescott and Jean-Michel Basquiat, and those of younger and emerging artists, such as Kehinde Wiley, Wangechi Mutu and Shinique Smith. Often provocative and challenging, 30 Americans explores what it means to be a contemporary artist through an African-American point of view – whether addressing issues of race, gender, sexuality, politics or history.

Drawn from the collection of Mera and Don Rubell, 30 Americans contains 41 works in a variety of media – paintings, drawings, sculptures, installations, digital videos and photographs – by 30 of the leading contemporary African American artists. The Rubells began acquiring contemporary art in the late 1960s, often forging close friendships with living artists, particularly young artists.

The Rubells collected both backwards and forward, out of which emerged a pattern of intergenerational influence. Consequently, the works that comprise the exhibition afford viewers the opportunity to observe a stylistic dialogue among artists working throughout the past four decades. Now in collaboration with their two grown children, the Rubells continue to assemble one of the largest private collections of contemporary art in the world, which they currently house in a 45,000 square foot former DEA warehouse-turned-museum in Miami, Florida.

Previous institutions that have hosted variations of the exhibition include: the North Carolina Museum of Art, Raleigh, North Carolina (March 19, 2011 – September 4, 2011); the Corcoran Gallery of Art, Washington, D.C. (October 1, 2011 – February 12, 2012); the Chrysler Museum of Art, Norfolk, Virginia (March 16, 2012 – July 15, 2012); the Milwaukee Art Museum, Milwaukee, Wisconsin (June 14, 2013 – September 8, 2013); Frist Center for the Visual Arts, Nashville, Tennessee (October 11, 2013 – January 12, 2014); and the Contemporary Arts Center, New Orleans, Louisiana (February 8, 2014 – June 15, 2014).

“Art. Race. Identity. Bringing ’30 Americans’ to Little Rock” – An Arts Center discussion at Clinton School today

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The Arkansas Arts Center premieres a new exhibit tomorrow – “30 Americans.”  Today at noon at the Clinton School, Dr. Todd Herman will discuss the exhibit.

“30 Americans” presents a sweeping survey of artwork by many of the most important African American artists of the last four decades. Organized by the Rubell Family Collection in Miami, the exhibition features work by such early and influential artists as Barkley L. Hendricks, Robert Colescott and Jean-Michel Basquiat, and those of younger and emerging artists, like Kehinde Wiley, Wangechi Mutu, and Shinique Smith. Often provocative and challenging, “30 Americans” explores what it means to be a contemporary artist and an African American today. Whether addressing issues of race, gender, sexuality, politics, or history—or the seeming lack thereof—the works in the exhibition offer powerful interpretations of cultural identity and artistic legacy.

Dr. Herman, executive director of the Arkansas Arts Center will discuss the steps taken to bring a nationally recognized exhibition to Little Rock and the impact it will have.

Final weekend for CAT IN THE HAT at Ark. Arts Center Children’s Theatre

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IMG_5568Today and tomorrow at 2pm are the final two days to CATch the Arkansas Arts Center Children’s Theatre presentation of The Cat in the Hat.

“One of the most familiar and beloved picture books of the last half century will erupt with fun on the Children’s Theatre stage,” said Todd Herman, executive director of the Arkansas Arts Center.

“Young audiences and those young at heart will be transported into the world they’ve always imagined while seeing the classic book come to life.”

It’s a rainy day with nothing to do. Sally and her brother are miserable. Bored. Simply dying for fun. Then bump! Something quite unexpected. You guessed it. It’s a cat. In a hat. In fact, it’s the Cat in the Hat, and he’s just in time to show the kids a thing or two about fun. It’s just a matter of know-how, you know. So don’t listen to that fish! Jump in! The water’s fine! Just don’t tell mom!

The cast for The Cat in the Hat includes:

  • Ben Gibson of Little Rock as Boy
  • Sharon Combs of New York, N.Y., as Sally
  • Courtney Bennett of Little Rock as Cat
  • Mark Hansen of Little Rock as Fish
  • Aleigha Morton of Beebe as Kitten 1/Thing 1
  • Lauren Linton of Memphis as Kitten 2/Thing 2

Bradley Anderson is the artistic director and Katie Campbell is the show director. Costumes are designed by Erin Larkin; technical direction by Drew Posey; lighting design by Penelope Poppers; properties and set design by Miranda Young and Rivka Kuperman is the stage manager.

The Arkansas Arts Center Children’s Theatre presenting sponsor is Arkansas Blue Cross and Blue Shield and the season sponsor is Dr. Loren Bartole, ‘Family Footcare’.

Dr. Seuss’ The Cat in the Hat is presented through special arrangement with Music Theatre International (MTI).

The Cat in the Hat drops in at Arts Center Children’s Theatre

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The Arkansas Arts Center Children’s Theatre presents The Cat in the Hat through March 29 with special spring break matinees March 24-27.

“One of the most familiar and beloved picture books of the last half century will erupt with fun on the Children’s Theatre stage,” said Todd Herman, executive director of the Arkansas Arts Center.

“Young audiences and those young at heart will be transported into the world they’ve always imagined while seeing the classic book come to life.”

It’s a rainy day with nothing to do. Sally and her brother are miserable. Bored. Simply dying for fun. Then bump! Something quite unexpected. You guessed it. It’s a cat. In a hat. In fact, it’s the Cat in the Hat, and he’s just in time to show the kids a thing or two about fun. It’s just a matter of know-how, you know. So don’t listen to that fish! Jump in! The water’s fine! Just don’t tell mom!

The cast for The Cat in the Hat includes:

  • Ben Gibson of Little Rock as Boy
  • Sharon Combs of New York, N.Y., as Sally
  • Courtney Bennett of Little Rock as Cat
  • Mark Hansen of Little Rock as Fish
  • Aleigha Morton of Beebe as Kitten 1/Thing 1
  • Lauren Linton of Memphis as Kitten 2/Thing 2

Bradley Anderson is the artistic director and Katie Campbell is the show director. Costumes are designed by Erin Larkin; technical direction by Drew Posey; lighting design by Penelope Poppers; properties and set design by Miranda Young and Rivka Kuperman is the stage manager.

The Arkansas Arts Center Children’s Theatre presenting sponsor is Arkansas Blue Cross and Blue Shield and the season sponsor is Dr. Loren Bartole, ‘Family Footcare’.

Dr. Seuss’ The Cat in the Hat is presented through special arrangement with Music Theatre International (MTI).