Art notes: Godpsell performances set at Argenta Community Theater
www.arkansasnewsroom.com
Argenta Community Theater recently announced the performance dates for Godspell
Godspell is directed by ACT Producing Artistic Director Vincent Insalaco with music direction by Bob Bidewell. The show features J. Kirt Thomas as Jesus and Willie Lucius as John the Baptist/Judas.
The cast of disciples include Hannah Blacklaw, John Broadwater, Eli Halter, Savannah Halter, Kyra Hatley, Bella Insalaco, Steven Jones, Ashley Merrill, Amelia Migliore, Emory Molitor, Kelley Ponder, Satia Spencer, Kristen Phantazia Smith, Alexandra Rose Vigil, Adam Whitfield and Will Witt.
Performances run start on Feb. 21 and conclude on March 2.
The show’s run will also include a student matinee sponsored by Blackberry Market. Evening shows start at 7:30 p.m. and the SUnday matinee is at 2 p.m. Ticket prices start at $10 and to buy, go to www.argentacommunitytheater.org.
Godspell is sponsored by Will Feland, The City of North Little Rock, The Tenenbaum Foundation, Legacy Termite & Pest Control, The Arkansas Arts Council, North Little Rock Tourism and The Insalaco Family. The VIP Balcony is sponsored by Colonial Wine & Spirits.
Action/Abstraction Redefined opens at the Arkansas Museum of Fine Arts on Feb. 16
New Mexico #40 / Fritz Scholder / Fritz Scholder (Mission/Luiseño, 1937 - 2005), New Mexico #40, 1966, acrylic on canvas, 73 1/2 x 51 1/2 in., On loan from the MoCNA Collection, MS-41.
Action/Abstraction Redefined: Modern Native Art, 1940s to 1970s opens at the Arkansas Museum of Fine Arts on Friday, Feb. 16, in the Harriet and Warren Stephens Galleries and will remain on view through May 26.
Action/Abstraction Redefined is the first major traveling exhibition to highlight modern Native American art through the lens of 20th century Abstract Expressionism, Color Field and Hard-Edge Painting. Comprising 52 works by 36 artists—including George Morrison, Fritz Scholder, and T.C. Cannon—the exhibition showcases work by artists who redefined the concept of abstraction at midcentury and pushed the boundaries of Native art.
Drawn from the collection of the Institute of American Indian Arts (IAIA) in Santa Fe, a school where revolutionary approaches encouraged experimentation and risk taking, Action/Abstraction Redefined explores how artists combined New York School art influences with Native art traditions and challenged stereotypical expectations of American Indian art.
After several decades of the U.S. government’s forced assimilationist policies, IAIA was created, instead, to foster radical teaching and bold, student-centered learning for Native students who came from as far away as Alaska and Florida. Experimentation was encouraged alongside traditional Native arts, and the two uniquely merged in the works on view.
Admission is always free, and the exhibition is open through May 26.
Other upcoming events
AMFA Member Exhibition Preview: AMFA Members get the first look at Action/Abstraction Redefined on Thursday, Feb. 15, 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. An opening ceremony presented by the American Indian Center of Arkansas begins at 6:00 p.m. featuring a Cherokee flute performance by Tommy Wildcat and a Lakota Four Directions drum song by Steven Morales. A reception will follow giving guests a chance to view the exhibition before it opens to the public the following day.
AMFA’s Family Art Festival: Families can enjoy a free day of art and fun inspired by Action/Abstraction Redefined on Saturday, Feb. 17, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. The Bizhiki Culture & Dance Company—featured on Bon Iver’s 2019 album I,I —kicks off the experience with energy-packed, interactive dance performances at 10:30 a.m. and noon in AMFA’s Atrium. The dancers will then lead audiences to a special storytelling performance illustrating the resilience of Indigenous cultures. In the Windgate Art School, guests will enjoy live demonstrations by Plains Cree ledger artist Joshue Atcheynum and a basket-making artist as well as specifically-designed art experiences organized by AMFA’s Teen Advisory Board. This is a free event, and no reservations are required.
Artist Talk: Action/Abstraction Redefined: Doug Hyde and Frank Buffalo Hyde, father and son contemporary Native artists, will participate in an intergenerational conversation on Wednesday, March 6, at 6 p.m. in AMFA’s Performing Arts Theater. Reservations are encouraged for this free Artist Talk and can be made at www.arkmfa.org.
Action/Abstraction Redefined Dance Performance: On Saturday, April 27, at 1:30 p.m., traditional choreography and modern movement merge to create a unique art form during a contemporary Native American dance performance in AMFA’s Performing Arts Theater. Reservations are encouraged for this free event and can be made at www.arkmfa.org.
Darrell Walker joins museum’s foundation
The Arkansas Museum of Fine Arts appointed Darrell Walker, below, this month as a new director for the AMFA Foundation. Walker is the head basketball coach at University of Arkansas at Little Rock and an avid collector of African American contemporary art.
“Mr. Walker brings broad expertise on art, museums, and community to the AMFA Foundation. His strong leadership is evident from his successful career on the court, and his keen knowledge of today’s art world will help shape the future of the Foundation’s Collection,” said AMFA Foundation Chair Warren Stephens.
Walker has extensive basketball experience at both the collegiate and professional level. His playing experience includes three years at the University of Arkansas and 10 seasons in the National Basketball Association, followed by a 20-year professional coaching career, including serving as head coach for two different NBA franchises.
“I began collecting art created by African American artists over 30 years ago and have spent a lot of time getting to know artists and discovering new contemporary and emerging artists,” said Walker. “I like to bring my passion for art to my players. I recently took the entire team to view the Whitfield Lovell exhibition at AMFA, and I look forward to continuing to introduce the next generation to the great artists of the past and future.”
In addition, John Ed Anthony will be stepping down as an AMFA Foundation Director. Anthony joined the Foundation in 2016, and he will continue to serve in an advisory capacity as a member of the investment committee.
AMFA Foundation Directors include: Warren Stephens, Chair; Ben Hussman, Vice-Chair; George O’Connor, Treasurer; Victoria Ramirez, Secretary; Terri Erwin; Michael Mayton; Harriet Stephens; Robert W. Tucker, Past Chair; Darrell Walker; Stan Hastings, AMFA Board of Trustees President.
Art notes: Godpsell performances set at Argenta Community Theater
Art notes: Godpsell performances set at Argenta Community Theater
Art notes: Godpsell performances set at Argenta Community Theater
Argenta Community Theater recently announced the performance dates for Godspell
Godspell is directed by ACT Producing Artistic Director Vincent Insalaco with music direction by Bob Bidewell. The show features J. Kirt Thomas as Jesus and Willie Lucius as John the Baptist/Judas.
The cast of disciples include Hannah Blacklaw, John Broadwater, Eli Halter, Savannah Halter, Kyra Hatley, Bella Insalaco, Steven Jones, Ashley Merrill, Amelia Migliore, Emory Molitor, Kelley Ponder, Satia Spencer, Kristen Phantazia Smith, Alexandra Rose Vigil, Adam Whitfield and Will Witt.
Performances run start on Feb. 21 and conclude on March 2.
The show’s run will also include a student matinee sponsored by Blackberry Market. Evening shows start at 7:30 p.m. and the SUnday matinee is at 2 p.m. Ticket prices start at $10 and to buy, go to www.argentacommunitytheater.org.
Godspell is sponsored by Will Feland, The City of North Little Rock, The Tenenbaum Foundation, Legacy Termite & Pest Control, The Arkansas Arts Council, North Little Rock Tourism and The Insalaco Family. The VIP Balcony is sponsored by Colonial Wine & Spirits.
Action/Abstraction Redefined opens at the Arkansas Museum of Fine Arts on Feb. 16
Action/Abstraction Redefined: Modern Native Art, 1940s to 1970s opens at the Arkansas Museum of Fine Arts on Friday, Feb. 16, in the Harriet and Warren Stephens Galleries and will remain on view through May 26.
Action/Abstraction Redefined is the first major traveling exhibition to highlight modern Native American art through the lens of 20th century Abstract Expressionism, Color Field and Hard-Edge Painting. Comprising 52 works by 36 artists—including George Morrison, Fritz Scholder, and T.C. Cannon—the exhibition showcases work by artists who redefined the concept of abstraction at midcentury and pushed the boundaries of Native art.
Drawn from the collection of the Institute of American Indian Arts (IAIA) in Santa Fe, a school where revolutionary approaches encouraged experimentation and risk taking, Action/Abstraction Redefined explores how artists combined New York School art influences with Native art traditions and challenged stereotypical expectations of American Indian art.
After several decades of the U.S. government’s forced assimilationist policies, IAIA was created, instead, to foster radical teaching and bold, student-centered learning for Native students who came from as far away as Alaska and Florida. Experimentation was encouraged alongside traditional Native arts, and the two uniquely merged in the works on view.
Admission is always free, and the exhibition is open through May 26.
Other upcoming events
AMFA Member Exhibition Preview: AMFA Members get the first look at Action/Abstraction Redefined on Thursday, Feb. 15, 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. An opening ceremony presented by the American Indian Center of Arkansas begins at 6:00 p.m. featuring a Cherokee flute performance by Tommy Wildcat and a Lakota Four Directions drum song by Steven Morales. A reception will follow giving guests a chance to view the exhibition before it opens to the public the following day.
AMFA’s Family Art Festival: Families can enjoy a free day of art and fun inspired by Action/Abstraction Redefined on Saturday, Feb. 17, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. The Bizhiki Culture & Dance Company—featured on Bon Iver’s 2019 album I,I —kicks off the experience with energy-packed, interactive dance performances at 10:30 a.m. and noon in AMFA’s Atrium. The dancers will then lead audiences to a special storytelling performance illustrating the resilience of Indigenous cultures. In the Windgate Art School, guests will enjoy live demonstrations by Plains Cree ledger artist Joshue Atcheynum and a basket-making artist as well as specifically-designed art experiences organized by AMFA’s Teen Advisory Board. This is a free event, and no reservations are required.
Artist Talk: Action/Abstraction Redefined: Doug Hyde and Frank Buffalo Hyde, father and son contemporary Native artists, will participate in an intergenerational conversation on Wednesday, March 6, at 6 p.m. in AMFA’s Performing Arts Theater. Reservations are encouraged for this free Artist Talk and can be made at www.arkmfa.org.
Action/Abstraction Redefined Dance Performance: On Saturday, April 27, at 1:30 p.m., traditional choreography and modern movement merge to create a unique art form during a contemporary Native American dance performance in AMFA’s Performing Arts Theater. Reservations are encouraged for this free event and can be made at www.arkmfa.org.
Darrell Walker joins museum’s foundation
The Arkansas Museum of Fine Arts appointed Darrell Walker, below, this month as a new director for the AMFA Foundation. Walker is the head basketball coach at University of Arkansas at Little Rock and an avid collector of African American contemporary art.
“Mr. Walker brings broad expertise on art, museums, and community to the AMFA Foundation. His strong leadership is evident from his successful career on the court, and his keen knowledge of today’s art world will help shape the future of the Foundation’s Collection,” said AMFA Foundation Chair Warren Stephens.
Walker has extensive basketball experience at both the collegiate and professional level. His playing experience includes three years at the University of Arkansas and 10 seasons in the National Basketball Association, followed by a 20-year professional coaching career, including serving as head coach for two different NBA franchises.
“I began collecting art created by African American artists over 30 years ago and have spent a lot of time getting to know artists and discovering new contemporary and emerging artists,” said Walker. “I like to bring my passion for art to my players. I recently took the entire team to view the Whitfield Lovell exhibition at AMFA, and I look forward to continuing to introduce the next generation to the great artists of the past and future.”
In addition, John Ed Anthony will be stepping down as an AMFA Foundation Director. Anthony joined the Foundation in 2016, and he will continue to serve in an advisory capacity as a member of the investment committee.
AMFA Foundation Directors include: Warren Stephens, Chair; Ben Hussman, Vice-Chair; George O’Connor, Treasurer; Victoria Ramirez, Secretary; Terri Erwin; Michael Mayton; Harriet Stephens; Robert W. Tucker, Past Chair; Darrell Walker; Stan Hastings, AMFA Board of Trustees President.