FORT SMITH: Regional Art Museum Opening Reception

The Fort Smith Regional Art Museum (RAM) will hold an opening reception for two new exhibitions Thursday, January 9. Occupying the main floor gallery, “Maximum Exposure: Group Photography Exhibit” features 70 framed photographs by professional and hobbyist photographers of the Greater Fort Smith region.

“The exhibit provides a great variety of artwork from across the region by photographers varying both in age and experience level,” Louis Meluso, executive director of RAM, says. “It is very exciting to see these works in one place.”

The images take viewers to other states and countries, to national parks, through Arkansas’ countryside, flora and fauna, and even to the moon. All works will be for sale, with proceeds benefitting both the artists and RAM.

“Photography is every man’s tool of expression,” Meluso says. “It is one of the more accessible art forms available today. Because Maximum Exposure’s subject matter is open, we get to see many points of view and insights.”

In RAM’s new Student Gallery, the artwork of Northside High School senior Nadia Lougin will be exhibited. This will be RAM’s second formal exhibition of a young artist’s work. The gallery is located in RAM’s lower level and is accessible by stairs and elevator. Lougin’s favorite mediums include acrylic paint, charcoal, oil painting and pastels.  She also enjoys creating digital art inspired by popular characters in today’s media.

Complimentary refreshments will be served during the reception. RAM is located at 1601 Rogers Avenue in the circa-1963 former Superior Federal Bank building. Parking for the drop-in reception is available in the parking lot of RAM (facing North A Street), in the neighboring spaces behind R&R’s Curry Express restaurant, and side streets. For more information, call RAM at 479-784-2787 or visit its website at www.fsram.org.