LITTLE ROCK — Visual Images That Affect Lives (VITAL), a recently formed artists’ collective, celebrated the opening of its inaugural show June 11 at the Arkansas Arts Center’s Terry House in Little Rock.
Visitors dined on hors d’oeuvres; listened to musical entertainment from Ryk St. Vincent and viewed the works of Ariston Jacks, Melverue Abraham, Rex DeLoney, Kalari Turner, Latoya Hobbs and Micheal Worsham.
Among those admiring such works as DeLoney’s My Mother’s Brothers, Turner’s Love 5, Worsham’s Erica, Hobbs’ Divine, Abraham’s A Rebirthing in Haiti and Jacks’ Son Shine were Naomi and Peter Petrash, Adrienne Oliver, Emon Watkins, Odies Wilson III, Lee Anthony, Ruth Ann Jones, Patrick Oliver, Amari Townsend, Deborah Bell, the Rev. C.J. Duvall, Cassandra Stokes, Angela D. Davis, Portia Jones, Gale Davis, Jacks’ daughter, Erin Jacks; and his father,Theo Jacks of Pine Bluff.
With the motto “Celebrating culture, liberating lives,” VITAL describes itself as a group of Arkansas Delta artists who create positive works of art that uplift and embrace community and heritage; advance culture; promote unity, and embrace the spirit of Kwanzaa. The VITAL exhibit runs through Aug. 8.
High Profile, Pages 44 on 06/27/2010