“Aux Arcs: Black & White Photography of the Ozarks Region” will be presented by the Willow Springs Arts Council at the historic Ferguson Building beginning Saturday, September 3^rd and running through the 16^th.  This exhibit is a collection of works by professional photographer, artist, and author, Carl James.  Translated loosely, Aux Arcs means a place of hills or bows. One interpretation is that the name came from a French pioneer expression Aux Arkansas, literally meaning To the Arkansas Mountains. The region was part of what became the Louisiana Purchase, settled by other Europeans, and the name slowly changed to the Ozarks. Geologically the Ozarks is a broad dome of eroded limestone roughly 47,000 square miles consisting of the St. Francois Mountains, the Salem Plateau, the Springfield Plateau and the Boston Mountains. It covers around one third to one half of Missouri, the upper western region of Arkansas and extends into the northeast corner of Oklahoma. It is a region well watered with clear spring-fed streams with many grist mills, hardwood oak and hickory forests intermixed with yellow pine groves. Due to its karst geology, it has many caves.

Carl James is a retired architect who embraced photography and writing interests after retiring. In his own words, “One of my goals is to bring people out into and help them develop a strong love and sense of responsibility for nature and the natural environment through photography and poetry.  My current goal is to publish poetry and complete vintage photograph collections of Ozark and Douglas Counties, MO.”  Mr. James specializes in fine art photography, photograph restoration, and architectural photography,   He also enjoys creative writing, poetry, Japanese landscape design, Ozarks history and genealogy.  James states, “I am somewhat a maverick in the area of fine art photography. I am quite pleased to know that my work is distinctive enough that my “style” is recognizable without identification. My photography is an expression of myself, not necessarily the subject. An interesting phenomenon is that my volume of sales seems to be an inverse to my scores in the camera club contests. I don’t do this for the money, but as a creative outlet. If it pleases me, that’s good. If it conveys something so worthwhile that a client is willing to give me a couple hundred for it, then I am humbled and very grateful, not only for the money but that we have had a mystical communication experience through art. I thoroughly enjoy walking around a show listening to a piece being discussed because it is quite enough payment to have elicited a discussion.”

The Arts Council will hold a reception for Mr. James and open the exhibit on September 3^rd beginning at 5PM.  Everyone is welcome to attend this event and have an opportunity to meet the artist and enjoy light refreshments.

The Willow Springs Arts Council is proud to bring back “An Afternoon of Tea and Antiques”.  This event started last year as a fund raiser for the Arts Council and was very well received.  Everyone is invited to enjoy a delightful afternoon at the Ferguson Building on Sunday, August 28^th, from 2 to 4PM.

Guests will be treated to a presentation by local expert Becky Jesse on antique jewelry and are encouraged to bring a piece of jewelry for an appraisal.  Ms. Jesse discovered a love of antique jewelry following her retirement after 31 years of teaching.  She began attending auctions and yard sales acquiring items and educated herself by researching in books and on the internet.  She has several booths at local flea markets and sells items on Ebay.  Her special love is Art Deco and Nouveau, but she will also discuss a variety of jewelry from Victorian to the 1960’s.  This discussion will feature information on Cameos which are a favorite of everyone.

There will also be classical music provided by Mr. Vinnie Ray and light snacks including sandwiches and desserts.  Admission is $10 per person and will assist the Arts Council in continuing its efforts to bring fine arts programs to the area.

Don’t miss this chance to wear your fanciest hat and gloves and enjoy “An Afternoon of Tea and Antiques.”  Make your reservation now by calling Barbara Nyden at 417-855-0505 or Becky Cash at 417-962-0979.

The Willow Springs Arts Council is sponsoring an “Introduction to Oil Painting” workshop on Saturday, July 30^th at the Ferguson Building in Willow Springs.  West Plains artist, Regina Willard, will conduct the class which will start at 1PM and end at 4PM.

The goal of the class is to develop an understanding of the tools used when oil painting and when and what to use to improve your painting. That would include brushes, paint, and surfaces.  There will also be exercises to help better understand shapes, value and color when painting any subject.

Ms. Willard is primarily a self-taught artist and her style is described as “painterly with emphasis on color and brushwork”. Her work has been exhibited in numerous juried and non-juried shows in the Ozarks and has won awards including Best of Show and People’s Choice awards.  To see her work, visit her website at www.reginawillard.com.

The cost of the workshop is $20 if you bring your own supplies. This should include a 12×16 canvas.  Or, the arts council will provide the supplies for the class for an additional $10 fee.  A supply list is available upon request.  For further information or to register, please contact Barbara Nyden at 417-855-0505.  Class size is limited so early registration is recommended.

Please visit www.willowspringsartscouncil.org or Willow Springs Arts Council on Facebook for more information on the Arts Council and upcoming events.

The Star Dramatic Company’s newest production will open on June 10th at the Star Theater in Willow Springs.  Performances will be June 10 to 12th,  and June 17 to 19th with Friday and Saturday performances at 7PM and Sunday performances at 2PM.  Ticket prices are $6 for adults and $4 for students 12 and under.

Written and directed by local playwright, Kristi Cunningham, the tale includes a cast of 18.  There is an unsuspecting family, a kind-hearted beast, an evil faerie queen, some rascally Rascals, a slick business mange, castle guards, and sprightly faeries!!!!  These faeries live in an enchanted wood and can transport the most unsuspecting audience to a magical world!!!

The Arts Council is one again excited to sponsor art programs for children from First through Eighth grade at the Ferguson Building.  The sessions will be held in June on the 14, 15, and 16th and in July on the 12, 13, and 14th.  Cost for each session is $5 and you can register at the Ferguson Building.  Check our Welcome Page for more information.