SEARCY — Beverly Austin, Howard Johnson and Garrett Johnson, local artists, are now showing art pieces inspired by travel in France, Italy, Honduras and Ukraine. The Searcy Arts Council and city of Searcy Parks and Recreation are hosting this exhibit at the Searcy Art Gallery, 300 E. Race St. in Searcy.
Austin, a graduate of Harding University with a Master of Art in Art Education, has taught in the art department of Harding since 1973. Austin has studied with Daniel Green, Frank Covino and Tiziano Bonnani. The paintings and drawings in this exhibit are from subjects in Honduras, Ukraine, Italy and surrounding areas.
Art has been a part of Howard Johnson's life since elementary school. He has art degrees from the University of Central Arkansas and Harding University. In 1970, Johnson attended the Institute for American Universities in Aix-en-Provence, France. In 2008, he and his sons attended the 50th anniversary of the Institute for American Universities at the Leo Marchutz School in Italy. The art on display at the Searcy Art Gallery was inspired by drawings made on this anniversary trip.
Garrett Johnson, son of Howard Johnson, has been immersed in the artistic world since birth. In high school, Garrett exhibited in The Delta Show and Prints, Drawings & Photographs. A graduate of Harding University in 2005 with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Graphic Design, Garrett now works in advertising in Searcy.
Works of these local artists will be on display through September. Hours for the Searcy Art Gallery are 2-5 p.m. Tuesday through Friday and 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday. Admission is free.
Three Rivers, Pages 114 on 08/23/2009