A word from the IMAGE 2019 Curator

What is a curator and what do they do for an art exhibition? While the internet age has changed the definition and made the term a lot more common place, it has its roots in the museum world where curators are the ones responsible for the items in a collection. The East Central Regional Arts Council employs a curator, or curators, to take all the great submitted works of art, care for them, and make the variety of works into a show for all to enjoy.

This year Bethany Whitehead and Becky Franklin served as co-curators for the exhibition and began their work looking at all 154 works of art to assess the colors, subject matter, texture, size to assess how to make the show flow well and look good. Bethany said:  “I dare say that the Image show is the most eclectic group show I have ever seen - and I have put together more than 40 exhibitions in my history of working in the arts. The artists in this region are talented and clearly have appreciation for nature, but also make political statements and have passion for their hobbies, which comes through in their art.”  Indeed, this year there is art made with bacon, pennies, gourds, plastic fish, and teeth, as well as amazing drawings, paintings, photography, sculpture, prints, and more.

The real joy of curating an exhibition like the Image show is putting unexpected works of art in relation to one another or in places that would surprise the visitor. Finding similar colors, shapes, sizes, and subjects that work with one another is the real work of the curator and is not easy when the artworks are as diverse as this show. It is also great fun, to place works that one would never think would work together, next to each other and to have them look like the artists created them to be neighbors. Becky said: “Bethany and I arranged the Image show to take the viewer on a journey through the unique experiences, thoughts, and creative expression by local artists.”

While the curators enjoyed putting this show together and hope all visitors leave having found surprise and joy in the beautiful works, if they did their job well, the placement of the works will seem natural enough that their work is not even noticed.

2019 Art Show Schedule

Open to Public

Gala Show Opening - Saturday, April 27, 2019 – 5 - 8 p.m. with the judge’s presentation at 6 p.m.

(Please note that the show cannot open any earlier than 5 pm due to the judging process.)

There will be appetizers and music during the opening.

Sunday, April 28, 2019 - 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.

IMAGE will also be open weekdays:  Monday-Friday April 29 – May 3, 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.

& (by popular demand) Saturday, May 4 – 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.

No Charge – invite your family, friends, and art/student groups!!!