Jonesboro, AR – (JonesboroRightNow.com) – May 14, 2024 – The Bradbury Art Museum, situated within Arkansas State University’s campus, stands as a beacon of contemporary art in northeast Arkansas. Through its rotating exhibitions and robust outreach programming, the museum endeavors to engage the community in meaningful artistic experiences, making contemporary art accessible to all and allows for accessible educational programming and extending opportunities to regional artists.
The Bradbury Art Museum (BAM) was established in 2001 by Curt Bradbury in honor of his wife Charlotte. The museum was rebranded in 2015 to better reflect its mission of teaching, presenting, and collecting. The museum is the site of the Delta National Small Prints Exhibition, an annually held, nationally recognized juried print show of work by artists from the US and abroad.
The BAM is a contemporary art treasure in Northeast Arkansas. Currently, there are three exciting exhibitions set run through May 29th that offer visitors a diverse range of artistic perspectives. So if you’re looking for a way to beat the heat and expand your artistic mindset before the summer begins, make the time to view these one-of-a-kind exhibitions. Not only do they highlight the diverse talents of artists within and beyond the region, but they underscore the museum’s commitment to fostering artistic dialogue and community engagement.
“Panoply: 26 Painted Lives,” artist Ray Allen Parker presents a dual series of biographical portraits and literary-inspired paintings. The biographies section showcases eight large, detailed portraits of family and friends, exploring themes of human experience like hope and vulnerability. Influenced by Baroque and contemporary painters, Parker aims to capture the authentic essence of his subjects. In the LIT portion, Parker reflects on his journey through literature with 17 portraits of literary figures, inspired by the hues of their masterworks. These paintings invite viewers to contemplate their relationship with literature and its impact on culture and consciousness. Parker’s work delves into the interconnectedness of personal and literary narratives, inviting introspection and reflection.
“The Soft Animal of Your Body” is a solo exhibition by Lydia Dildilian, assistant professor of art at A-State. Delving into the intricate themes of motherhood, Dildilian’s immersive series of new works employs experimental approaches to drawing and painting, incorporating materials ranging from acrylic paint to glitter. Through visual metaphor and abstracted mindscapes, she unravels the emotional depth of motherhood, inviting viewers to contemplate the tension between euphoria and dysphoria within the maternal experience.
“From Cart to Checkout: Affirmations to Get You to Your Next Paycheck Without Crying” is presented by Cody Scrivner and filled with witty explorations of late-stage capitalism. Through his satirical mega-corporation, Topia-Corp, Scrivner offers humorous yet poignant commentary on the challenges of contemporary consumer culture. Utilizing silkscreen printmaking, he delivers painfully relatable phrases on shopping bags, reflecting on the intersection of commerce and existential dread.
“Girls With Cameras” is a project led by Kim Vickrey, professor of art, aimed at cultivating confidence in young women through photography. Supported by the Women’s Foundation of Arkansas, the project brought northeast Arkansas students to campus for a day-long event where they were guided by Vickrey, photographer Melissa Donner, and other volunteers. The exhibition will showcase the photographs produced during this empowering initiative.
The BAM is open Tuesday-Saturday from 12-5 PM when the University is open. Admission to the exhibitions is free, providing an opportunity for all to immerse themselves in the vibrant world of contemporary art. Visitors can also schedule tours of the exhibitions to delve deeper into the artistic narratives on display. For more information about these exhibitions and upcoming summer shows, you can visit BradburyArtMuseum.org.