Gallery Walk to feature ‘Ugly Holiday Top’ contest

The Hot Springs Area Cultural Alliance is hosting an Ugly Holiday Top contest at today’s Gallery Walk, with a Barbie-themed, handcrafted “ugly ornament” as one of the top prizes.

Participants are welcome to sport their ugliest holiday-themed top to win a prize in one of two categories: the “Most Ugliest” or the “Discernibly DIY Artistry.”

HSACA Program Director Liz Colgrove noted it is a holiday top contest, not a holiday sweater contest. “December in Arkansas does not guarantee sweater weather, and there is always a chance participants will need to decorate a raincoat. So, no matter what season shows up on December 1st, Gallery Walk will be the ugliest place to be,” Colgrove said in a news release.

To enter the contest, stop by the HSACA tent located on Central Avenue in the parking lot directly across from The Vault restaurant, 723 Central Ave., this evening. Judges will score the entry, and pictures of each entry will be posted to the HSACA Facebook page; winners will be announced after all scores have been tallied.

The “Most Ugliest” holiday top winner will receive a $50 gift certificate redeemable at one of several participating Downtown Hot Springs galleries.

The “Discernibly DIY Artistry” winner will receive the one-of-a-kind ugly ornament handcrafted by Hot Springs artist Lori Arnold. “The ugly ornament, generously donated by Arnold, is part of a new series she has created using Barbie doll parts and accessories. The ornament, titled ‘Let’s Go Shopping,’ is approximately 12 inches in diameter and features an array of Barbie doll heads, legs, and arms carrying purses,” the news release said.

The Ugly Holiday Top contest is hosted by the Hot Springs Area Cultural Alliance, a registered nonprofit, in collaboration with Arnold and participating local galleries.

According to HSACA, the following galleries will be open for Gallery Walk from 5-9 p.m. today:

All Things Arkansas

610 Central Ave.

Features products from Arkansas, made in Arkansas, and related to Arkansas.

American Art Gallery

724 Central Ave.

Featuring wall art by gallery artists, notecards by Adam Hooker, new Southwest jewelry by Ernie Bolieu, and horsetail pottery and pine needle basketwork by Valerie Hanks-Goetz. Open Monday through Saturday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Artists’ Workshop Gallery

610-A Central Ave.

Jerry Matusky and David Malcolm Rose are Artists’ Workshop Gallery’s two featured artists for the month of December.

“Have you ever worked as an abalone diver, tailed a sawmill, flipped omelets for Mickey Rooney in Vegas, or driven a bob truck repossessing organs — the electric kind that is?” Matusky and Rose “have done these jobs and many more,” a gallery news release said.

“Considering their career paths, it stands to reason that their art may be a little different, as well. To say Matusky is an outsider artist would be an understatement. His art is out of this world, literally,” it said.

“Classic science fiction literature and movies opened the door of imagination to me. The possibilities presented were as endless as the cosmos,” he said in the release.

Working with acrylic on canvas, Matusky “hopes to share his vision of what may await us as we reach out to the ends of the universe, the beginnings of time. His work is best viewed with one of the black light wands provided.”

Rose’s focus is closer to home. After a 40-year hiatus, he started painting again just as COVID-19 hit. Since then, he has been working on a series he calls “Life in the Time of Corona.”

“When the world got surreal, so did my painting. Between the masks and the quarantine, we became faceless people. At first it was an adventure but then time stopped, and the deadly reality of the situation set in. In some ways we, as a nation, are suffering from PTSD. Perhaps my work, in some small way, can help us come to terms with what happened,” Rose said.

Miniature artists for December are Jennifer Wheeler-Peterson and Linda Fletcher. Jessieville is the featured high school. Charles Mink will entertain with his dulcimer during Gallery Walk. Call 501-623-6401 or visit http://www.artistsworkshopgallery.com for more information.

The Circle Gallery at Emergent Arts

341 Whittington Ave.

Artists, designers, and organizations have constructed “the most beautiful, wacky, elegant, crazy, amazing, artful trees for a cause. The fundraising exhibition benefits Project HOPE Food Bank. Stop in and vote for your favorite tree while helping a great organization.”

Collective Arts Gallery

620 Central Ave., Suite 2B

An annex of Emergent Arts, 60 local artists exhibit in the newest gallery in town. The gallery is located on the second floor of the Karicole Plaza/Kress building at 620 Central Ave. Elevator access is available. Free refreshments and wine will be available. “With so much local art, this is a fabulous place to start your holiday shopping,” HSACA said.

DeSoto Rock & Gift Shop

626 Central Ave.

Offering art, décor, jewelry, as well as an expansive collection of gem and minerals from all over the world.

Dryden Pottery

341 Whittington Ave.

A number of newly arrived vintage Dryden pottery is available for sale in the showroom, as well as new pieces. Also exhibiting the artistic photos of Terry Baumgartner.

Gallery Central

340 Central Ave.

Original fine art in diverse styles and mediums from Arkansas artists as well as internationally known artists; also carries women’s clothing, gifts and housewares.

Justus Fine Art Gallery

827-A Central Ave.

The Holiday Exhibit at Justus Fine Art Gallery will feature work by a variety of artists including work by Mark Blaney, Donnie Copeland, Randall Good, Robyn Horn, gallery owner Dolores Justus, Dennis McCann, Linda Palmer, Tony Saladino, Sandra Sell, Gene Sparling, and Michael Warrick, along with introducing work by Adrian Deckbar.

The opening reception will be held from 5-9 p.m. as part of Gallery Walk. The exhibit runs through Dec. 31.

Gallery hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Wednesday through Saturday and by appointment. Call 501-321-2335 or visit http://www.justusfineart.com for more information.

Legacy Fine Art Gallery

804 Central Ave.

Legacy Fine Art Gallery will feature new paintings by Patrick Cunningham as well as an ever-changing variety of artwork by regional and internationally known artists such as Fidel Garcia, Carole Katchen, Vangelis, Eva, Americo and AB Makk, Elizabeth Weber, Boban, and Jim Pescott.

Rebecca Peterman Photography

801 Central Ave., Suite 30

The photographic art of Rebecca Peterman includes architectural photos of downtown Hot Springs and her 50/Fifty Series of portrait stories of women over 50 and the ways they transform as they age.

Tater Tots — One month only

831 Central Ave.

The children’s boutique features the photography of local artist Jeff Fuller-Freeman. “Iconic for his portraiture style and masterful ability to capture the true nature of a moment, the commissioned series ‘The Tater Tots’ is featured at Tater Tots boutique and ‘The Dames of Delucas’ series is located next door at DeLuca’s Pizza,” HSACA said.

Wrapped Gift Boutique

404 Central Ave.

Featuring the art of Alison Parsons, Riley Art Glass and others. Offering Parsons’ second holiday ornament in her limited-edition bath house series, the Lamar. All ornaments are signed and dated.