Doris Williamson Mapes

Doris Williamson Mapes, 93, of Little Rock, an artist of Arkansas renown, passed away November 20, 2013. She was born on June 25, 1920 in Russellville, Arkansas to the late Floyd and Ruby Harvill Williamson. Mrs. Mapes attended Hendrix College, the University of Arkansas at Little Rock and the Rex Brandt School of Painting in California. Her art career started at age 8 when she won $10 in a drawing contest in the Denver Post using a leaky pen. She taught art at the Bella Vista Fine Arts Center and conducted art classes at the Dansarts School in Little Rock for 20 years. Doris has conducted workshops throughout Arkansas and was a frequent lecturer and juror. She was a visiting lecturer at the University of Arkansas Medical School at Little Rock from 2002 through 2003. She was a selfless teacher and provided a foundation for her students that launched many successful careers. In her early years from 1956 to 1957, Doris was co-founder and President of the CPA wives club and President of the Woman's City Club. In her later years, she volunteered at the Clinton Library and the Decorative Arts Museum. In 1970, along with four other prominent artists, she founded and incorporated the Mid-Southern Watercolorists in Little Rock. Doris was elected the founding president and served until 1972. Because of the vision of these dedicated artists, the watercolor medium achieved a status that reached far beyond Arkansas borders. Doris Mapes presented over 35 one-woman shows, and has received national and international recognition. She is listed in Who's Who in American Art, Women Artists in America, Art News, Revue des Beaux Arts and La Revue Moderne des Arts. Her paintings have been included in many prestigious exhibits in Arkansas and across the United States, including a special exhibit in the Russell Senate Building, Washington, D.C., honoring twenty Arkansas artists. She also had a painting in the White House. Mrs. Mapes' work is included in over 400 private and public collections, including the permanent collections of the Arkansas Arts Center, the Historic Arkansas Museum and the Springfield Art Museum in Springfield, Missouri. Mrs. Mapes was preceded in death by her husband, Eugene Mapes. She is survived by her beloved family: Daughter, Kay Mapes Caffey and son-in-law, Hugh Gordon Caffey Jr. of Blytheville; Grandsons, Hugh Gordon Caffey III and wife, Melody of Mayflower and Michael Mapes Caffey and wife Amy of Rockwall, Texas; and great-grandchildren, Chloe Elizabeth Caffey and Christopher Thomas Caffey. Our family is grateful for the loving care provided by our "extended family", Linda Shadell and Brenda Bryant. Doris was a lifelong member of Pulaski Heights United Methodist Church. Visitation will be this evening, Thursday, November 21 from 6-8 p.m. at Little Rock Funeral Home, 8801 Knoedl Ct. (NW corner I-630 and Barrow Rd.). Services will be Friday, November 22 at 2 p.m. at the funeral home, officiated by Rev. Lynn Lindsey. Interment will follow at Pinecrest Memorial Park in Alexander. Arrangements by Little Rock Funeral Home, (501) 224-2200. Mrs. Mapes' online guest book may be signed at www.littlerockfuneralhome.com.