John Bell art exhibit formally opens at University of Arkansas
by September 11, 2009 6:37 pm 109 views
story and photos by Michael Tilley
A crowd filled a large reception room to formally welcome the exhibit of John Bell Jr. paintings at the Mullins Library at the University of Arkansas.
Bell, an artist based in Fort Smith, is a UA graduate and is one of just six artists each year who are invited to exhibit in the Mullins Library. (Link here to read more about Bell and his art.)
Carolyn Allen, dean of libraries at the UA, opened the ceremony by noting that she was proud the library could feature an “exceptional artist” for the first exhibit of the new academic year.
UA Chancellor G. David Gearhart said he has “grown up” with Bell’s art, and said Bell’s art is important because it “reminds me of some many scenes in Arkansas.”
Gearhart also presented Bell with a framed “rubbing” of Bell’s name as it appears on the senior walk. The UA has a tradition in which graduates’ names are etched into a campus sidewalk. Gearhart said the rubbing and Bell’s art reflect his “permanent place” with the university.
Jim Caldwell, a fan of Bell’s work and president of the United Way of Pine Bluff, said he lobbied hard for Bell to have an exhibit at the library because “I’m always looking to increase the John Bell fan club.” Caldwell said he has known and corresponded with Bell “since postage stamps were a dime.”
Caldwell talked about Bell’s many awards and accomplishments, telling the large crowd that Bell has always refused to join handicapped artists’ organizations “because he wants his art to speak for itself.” Caldwell praised Bell for having the attitude that a person is only as handicapped as their imagination.
“John’s is a story of overcoming, of being; a story of not asking, but of offering,” Caldwell said.
Bell spoke to the audience about his experiences at the UA — including a risque story about sketching a nude model — and his early art projects. Using the effort required to paint scenes of Eureka Springs, Bell noted the extent to which he researches each painting.
.jpg "John Bell Jr. watches the crowd gather at the reception formally opening his exhibit at Mullins Library at the University of Arkansas.")
.jpg "Carolyn Allen, dean of libraries at the University of Arkansas, visits with Linda McBride and Nancy Blair.")
.jpg "Jim Caldwell, president of the United Way of Pine Bluff, and University of Arkansas Chancellor G. David Gearhart talk prior to the reception.")
.jpg "Fred and Ann Mirra visit with Maxine Bell, wife of John Bell, and Helen Warnock, Maxine’s sister.")
.jpg "Chancellor Gearhart presents Bell with a “rubbing” of his name from the UA senior walk.")
.jpg "Fred and Ann Mirra admire a Bell painting. Fred, a native of Fort Smith, lives in Malaysia and works in the energy sector in Russia. He is a collector of Bell’s work.")
