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A man stands in front of a wall-sized art piece

Dr. Matthew Bailey finalizes the first exhibition at The District Art Galleries by 91ΧΤΕΔ.

Featured | Arts and SciencesMay 27, 2022

91ΧΤΕΔ Art & Design Curates Galleries at the Bakery

Written By: Samantha Contreras

A collaboration between The University of Arkansas – Fort Smith and The Bakery District will introduce a new arts venue to the heart of downtown Fort Smith this June.

The District Art Galleries by 91ΧΤΕΔ will bring fine art to unconventional exhibition spaces at The Bakery, building a forum for community engagement with the arts as part of an ongoing partnership between The Bakery, the 91ΧΤΕΔ Gallery of Art & Design, and the 91ΧΤΕΔ Department of Art & Design.

The inaugural exhibition, β€œProcess/Experience/Place” is being installed this week, and will feature the work of local artists Mary Elkins, Jarrod Cluck, and Owen Buffington, all of whom serve as adjunct art faculty at the university.

The exhibition will run from June 1 through September 18, with a reception celebrating the installation and the partnership to be announced soon. Viewing is free and the exhibition is open to the public during the open hours.

β€œThis space will be another visual art center in Fort Smith and will expand the presence of our 91ΧΤΕΔ Gallery and Department of Art & Design in the downtown area,” said Katie Waugh, chair of the Department of Art & Design. β€œThis is a vital forum for contemporary art that I hope the 91ΧΤΕΔ and Fort Smith communities will enjoy.”

The gallery will showcase local, regional, and national artistsβ€”both emerging and establishedβ€”whose work demonstrates contemporary trends in the visual arts. Taking place across several spaces in the district, exhibitions will be held quarterly with the intent to develop a continuous, competitive program of modern and impactful installations that truly engage the community.

According to Dr. Matthew Bailey, 91ΧΤΕΔ gallery director, the District Art Galleries will also be a training ground for 91ΧΤΕΔ students in art gallery practice. β€œThe training aspect is intended primarily for art students to gain art handling and gallery experience, though volunteer opportunities will be open to any interested student,” said Bailey. β€œVolunteers will assist with exhibition installations, and in the future, we hope to utilize this venue as part of our developing academic program in art handling and museum practice.”

β€œThis past year, Dr. Bailey has initiated a program of hiring student workers for the Gallery.” said Waugh, noting that Bailey has hired two student gallery assistants and one intern in 2022. β€œThese opportunities are an important extension of our students’ academic programs and working on exhibitions in this new space will expand both their academic understanding and their professional repertoire in developing exhibition spaces and overcoming design challenges.”

 

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