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Personal History: Connections


  • Arts On Main 415 Main Street Van Buren, AR, 72956 United States (map)

In January 2023, the recently formed Arts On Main Artists' Coalition presented this inaugural showing of members' work.

“Whenever there is the followed urge of pure creativity; the need to bring into being something new that was not there before, or the desire to comment on, examine or redefine an already existing idea or thing, artists must inevitably use their own life experience to inform this creativity. It's always about the artist's own history. Combining the uncountable past elements of their art development, life memory emotion and intellect determine the processes of their art-making. From the idea, through the visualization and all the steps needed to make a painting, a sculpture, a bowl, we are creating a piece of our own history and showing it to the viewer. That's when the uniting experience of personal history can be acknowledged. The artist does not need to be present to make this connection, and can stand behind their work at a distance. The marvel is this: a connection can be formed between strangers when the artist turns over their work to the viewer, who may be charmed, reminded, engaged, inspired, outraged or simply aware of what their personal history allows them to take from the viewing experience. So, here we are. All members of Arts On Main Artists' Coalition. We're here to make a connection with you, the viewer, with all our individual histories on display. We urge you to participate by considering what this connection might mean to you.”

“Beyond the Light” painting by Jeanette Foreman

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April 8

2023 River Valley Student Art Competition