Art at the airport

The public is invited to an opening reception featuring the works of Traditional Art Guild Artists Sharon Dumas and Carol Joswick from 1 to 3 p.m. on Saturday, May 18 in the terminal building at Hot Springs Memorial Field, 525 Airport Road. The exhibit will remain on display until mid-June.

 Dumas’ interest in art and love of animals started at an early age.  Recognizing her interest in the arts, Sharon’s mother took out a subscription to an art instruction course by mail.  As a young adult, Sharon entered college to pursue a Bachelor of Fine Arts Degree.  After graduation, Sharon continued to add to her skills by taking short courses in graphic arts and design.

Oil is her medium of choice. Portraiture, especially of animals, is her favorite subject.  Several of her paintings are of domestic rabbits who have shared her home as indoor pets for more than twenty years.  Through her portraits of rabbits, Sharon hopes that people will gain an appreciation and empathy for these often-misunderstood animals. 

Dumas regularly shows her paintings at Traditional Art Guild exhibits and annual exhibits sponsored by Malvern National Bank.  She has been a featured artist in the 2012 Diamond National Art Exhibit and the 2013 Regional Art Show sponsored by the Fine Arts Center of Hot Springs.

Joswick lives near Mt. Ida with her husband John, and two rescue dogs, Josie and Gretchen.

She works primarily in watercolor, and has recently incorporated collage into her paintings.  She enjoys painting a wide variety of subjects, but has a special fondness for turtles.  Her interest in these animals started when she began volunteering at ARK (Animal Rehabilitation Keep) In Port Aransas, Texas.  ARK is partially funded by the Marine Science Institute at UTEP.  During the five years that Carol volunteered at ARK she helped rehabilitate sea turtles and developed a special sympathy for them.

TAG sponsors a new exhibit at the airport each month and meets monthly on the third Thursday except through the summer months at the Garland County Library.  For membership information, contact President Joanne Kunath, 501-262-2953 or traditionalartguild.com .