For the second year in a row, art lovers have the opportunity to view the pieces that didn't make the cut at the Delta Exhibition.
The 2016 Delta des Refuses exhibition opened with a well-attended reception June 17 at the Thea Foundation during North Little Rock's Argenta Art Walk. The exhibition features the work of more than 80 artists who were turned away from the Arkansas Arts Center's 58th annual Delta Exhibition, considered the leading juried show in the state.
This more informal, artist-led event is central Arkansas' version of the original Salon des Refuses dating to 1863 Paris, and it "hopes to challenge the traditional authority of juried taste," according to the Delta des Refuses website. The Salon des Refuses was itself a challenge to Paris' Salon system, the last word on European art.
But revolutions don't always come with force and violence. And, to be sure, the 2016 Delta des Refuses protest began in the genteel Southern way: come-and-go guests enjoying light munchies, perusing works that run the gamut of dimensions, styles and mediums and hobnobbing with artists.
Curator Rachel Trusty and Thea Foundation director Paul Leopoulos welcomed attendees.
Delta des Refuses will continue through July 17. Hours are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday.
High Profile on 06/26/2016