The works and influence of Arkansas artist, educator and mentor Don Lee are the focus of a new exhibition in Walton Arts Center’s Alexander Gallery at the Porter Art Warehouse. The exhibition, Working Through Time, curated by Kathy Thompson, is open March 20 - April 19.
The public is invited to an opening reception on Friday, March 20, 6-8 pm. The event is free, but you must reserve your spot for timed entry at 6, 6:30, 7 or 7:30 pm at https://waltonartscenter.org/visual-arts/exhibitions/.
Spanning decades of studio production and more than 46 years in higher education, this exhibition traces the sustained growth and unwavering focus that define Lee’s practice.
In his own words, Lee’s practice is mark-making. Both across a variety of surfaces and using drawing, painting, collage and assemblage as tools to create and resolve visual form. “I’m open and not hampered by a signature style,” Lee suggests. The commitment to and curiosity for the practice of creating work is his primary concern, including for the artistic development of thousands of art students.
Lee helped build and shape the studio art program from a two-year open enrollment model into a comprehensive four-year degree with NASAD accreditation at the University of Arkansas Fort Smith. Over the course of his tenure as faculty member, department head and gallery director, he played a central role in curriculum development, the planning of the Windgate Art and Design building and the growth of a permanent art collection that continues to serve students and the community. His influence – a rigorous and profoundly attentive process of creation – is embedded in the work of thousands of regional artists who carry forward his emphasis on discipline, curiosity and material intelligence.
Emphasizing form over content, Lee approaches each series as an exploration of material, tools, surface and design. Working Through Time presents a comprehensive view of this process: individual works stand as distinct investigations, but together they reveal an ongoing dialogue between maker and material.
The Alexander Gallery at the Porter Art Warehouse is located at 212 N. West Ave. It is open Monday through Saturday 11 am-2 pm and Thursday through Saturday evenings 5-8 pm.
Support for Walton Arts Center is provided, in part, by the Arkansas Arts Council, an agency of the Arkansas Department of Parks, Heritage, and Tourism, and the National Endowment for the Arts. Walton Arts Center is Arkansas’ largest and busiest performing arts presenter. Each year more than 215,000 people from Arkansas, Missouri, Kansas and Oklahoma and beyond attend more than 300 public events at Walton Arts Center, including performances, rehearsals, community gatherings, receptions, weddings and more. Approximately 35,000 students and teachers participate annually in arts learning programs at Walton Arts Center, and almost 250 volunteers donate 28,000 hours of time each year to its operations. Walton Arts Center presents entertainers and artists from around the world including Broadway musicals, renowned dance companies, international artists, up-and-coming jazz musicians and more. As a non-profit organization, Walton Arts Center enjoys the generous support of public sector funding, corporate sponsorship and private donors, allowing audience members to enjoy world-class performances at a great price. To learn more about Walton Arts Center, visit www.waltonartscenter.org.
