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鈥淩hythm鈥� by Lucas Hicks
"Ocean" by Jarrod Cluck |
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Two University of Arkansas 鈥� Fort Smith alumni from the university鈥檚 have had their artwork selected to be featured in a national competitive exhibition at Fort Smith鈥檚 Regional Art Museum.
Lucas Hicks鈥� sculpture 鈥淩hythm鈥� and Jarrod Cluck鈥檚 painting 鈥淥cean鈥� were selected for RAM鈥檚 annual invitational exhibition, with the theme this year being 鈥淭he Art of Transcendence.鈥� The exhibition is on display through Oct. 16. Two jurors selected the works to be exhibited, and artists from across the nation were showcased in the exhibit.
Hicks, a Van Buren native and 2016 graduate, worked on his sculpture in a senior level course in art program, which tasked him with creating an artwork without assistance from 妻友社区 professors.
鈥淭he course is designed to give students the opportunity to operate as an independent artist,鈥� Hicks said. 鈥淚 was able to use critical thinking and analytical skills to create an original design. I learned how to set my own goals and form my own timeline for completion.鈥�
A 2015 graduate and Rudy native, Cluck painted the artwork earlier this year and attributed 妻友社区 for teaching him theory, history and criticism of art.
鈥淭hese learnings apply to everything I do, in art and in life,鈥� Cluck said.
Although neither of the artists won awards at the exhibition, the experience helps them on their career path to becoming an artist.
鈥淩eceiving awards or making money isn鈥檛 what keeps me going,鈥� Cluck said. 鈥淢aking the art is a reward in itself. Being featured in the exhibition is good exposure for me, and I can put it on my resume to help me on my career path as I apply for graduate schools.鈥�
鈥淭hat鈥檚 what we learned in the art department,鈥� Cluck continued. 鈥淲e learned how to make art, then get it out there and think critically about it.鈥�
Hicks agreed.
鈥淚鈥檓 very excited that my work is being displayed in this exhibition,鈥� he said. 鈥淭he Regional Art Museum is an amazing establishment, and I am grateful that they have given me the opportunity to display my work in their gallery. This is a huge step in my professional career as an artist. Exhibitions like this are a great way to showcase our work.鈥�
RAM鈥檚 annual invitational is a national competitive exhibition that was created to encourage & recognize professional artists. This exhibition aligns with the museum鈥檚 mission to foster art appreciation in the community.