The 18th Annual Thomas Hart Benton Four State Regional Art - TopicsExpress

The 18th Annual Thomas Hart Benton Four State Regional Art Competition and Exhibit is scheduled for Saturday, October 12, 2013 at Crowder College. The exhibit will be on display from October 12 through Sunday October 27 in the Longwell Museum in the Elsie Plaster Building. The event is sponsored by the SMAA, Southwest Missouri Art Alliance (SMAA), a volunteer organization made up of artists who come together to make the show happen every year. Crowder College, Community Bank & Trust of Neosho , Neosho Arts Council, MACAA (Missouri Association of Community Arts Agencies), and many other local businesses and institutions contributed to the show for prizes and expenses. Jason Sacran of Fort Smith, Arkansas will be the judge at the competition. Jason is a full-time artist and part-time instructor for the University of Arkansas, Fort Smith. He is also the Arkansas state ambassador for the Portrait Society of America. Jason is also the Arkansas state ambassador for the Portrait Society of America. Although known for his figurative and portrait work, Jason is quickly rising as a top plein air painter, and considers plein air one of, if not his favorite subject. John P. Lasater IV of Siloam Springs, Arkansas will give an oil painting demonstration of a still life. John has worked for 13 years as a designer, illustrator and art director with a division of Hallmark Cards, so it was a natural transition to begin creating meaningful images with paint. He regularly teaches painting workshops. Looking at his artwork, you will hopefully sense goodness, simplicity, peace, honesty and intrigue.He is also involved in promoting the arts having judged local and national competitions. Artists interested in participating in the show are encouraged to contact SMAA. For more information about the 18th Annual Thomas Hart Benton Four State Regional Art Competition and Exhibit visit the SMAA website southwestmissouriartalliance.webs/. If you would like to be added to the mailing list, please email Becky Golubski at beckygolubski39@yahoo.