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In recognition of the 50th Anniversary of the Buffalo National River, an Art Exhibit celebrating the beauty of the Buffalo will be on display throughout April at the Boone County Library. Works from the BNR Artist-in-Residence Program from 1996-2008 and 2019, as well as pieces from local renown artists will be featured. The Boone County Library is located at 221 W. Stephenson, Harrison, AR 72601. The hours of operation are Monday, Wednesday, and Friday from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM, Tuesday and Thursday from 9:00 AM to 7:00 PM, and Saturday 9:00 AM to 2:00 PM. The exhibit, free and open to the public, will be displayed in the second-floor gallery.
The National Park’s Artist-in-Residency Program was created to provide artists with a unique opportunity to create works of art in varied natural and cultural settings. According to the National Park Service: Artists have created art in the National parks since the late 19th century when famed Hudson River School painters captured the majestic views of our nation’s western parks. Today the sights and sounds in the national parks continue to inspire artists in more than 50 residency programs across the country.
The Buffalo National River’s Artist-in-Residency Program began in 1997 and continued through 2008, with a single artist in 2019. It provided artists with the opportunity to create their works of art in this beautiful, pristine setting. All artists could apply – painters, writers, musicians, photographers, poets, and textile artists. The program allowed the chosen artist to stay without charge for up to three weeks at Steel Creek in an apartment above the horse barn. Artists would submit their application with the time of year they were interested in coming. A panel of park employees and local artists would make their choice and notify the artist. In exchange for lodging the artists donated one piece of their work to the BNR and participated in interpretive programs in the community.
Many of the pieces created through the BNR Artist-in-Residency program will be displayed at the Boone County Library. The exhibit will include paintings, watercolors, pastels, photographs, poems and more. In addition, there will be Buffalo River works from several local well known artists: William McNamara, Tim Ernst, Cynthia Dollard, Don Nelms, Scott Baldassari,, Roxanne Thompson, Rita Szabo, Isaac Szabo, Anette Pettit, Terra Fondriest, Duane Hada, and Rachel Henriques. The original print on canvas logo of the BR 50th Anniversary by Nicole Holder will be displayed, as well as a quilt created by BNR park employee, Pam Rhude, and a textile piece from the Lucky Star Farm residency program. Throughout the Buffalo River Watershed many local art galleries display art of other talented artists who have captured the beauty of the majestic Buffalo River.
Buffalo National River Partners is dedicated to the promotion, appreciation, preservation and protection of the Buffalo National River through volunteer activities, fundraising and educational outreach. www.bnrpartners.org
