PRESS RELEASE
Art of the American Southwest
In June at JRB Art at The Elms
Oklahoma City, Okla. - - - JRB Art at The Elms celebrates the rich heritage of the southwest featuring Shirley Thomson-Smith, Jason Cytacki, Jim Keefer, and Jenny Gummersall. All four solo exhibits will open on Friday, June 7th with an artist reception from 6:00-10:00pm during The Paseo Arts District’s monthly First Friday Gallery Walk. The public is also invited to view the exhibit during The Gallery’s 9th annual Prix de West Brunch honoring Shirley Thomson-Smith, one of the most revered Prix de West artists in the nation, on Sunday, June 9th from 10:30am-1:30pm.
Shirley Thomson-Smith’s sculptural contemporary portrayals of American Indian and peasant women have brought her numerous awards and honors while the basic simplicity of design has captured collectors. Thomson-Smith’s sculptures are boldly modern works, highly influenced by her understanding of early 20th century American and European art that radiate great sensitivity, love and magic authority through their presence. In 1985, Thomson-Smith was accepted as a member of the prestigious National Academy of Western Art (NAWA) and she has been a Prix de West artist for over 20 years.
Jim Keefer was born in Oklahoma City, and has lived here his entire life. The self-taught artist works in colorful, “modern primitive” style, painting scenes from the rural areas of Oklahoma and New Mexico. A favorite at the Oklahoma City Arts festival, Jim has won awards including “Best of Show” at the 2007 Paseo Festival.
Jason Cytacki is the Assistant Professor of Painting at the University of Oklahoma. His research examines the American character and its construction through history, popular culture and mythology. His recent work deals extensively with exploring Frontier mythology, in particular its continued importance in popular imagination.
Jenny Gummersall is a fine art photographer of acclaimed quality. Jenny’s love of the West was inspired by the New Mexico light. Gummersall’s art is in numerous corporate and public art collections as well as notable private collections. Articles celebrating Gummersall’s art have been published in Southwest Art, and Cowboys & Indians.
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JRB Art at The Elms presents a diverse roster of emerging, established, and internationally exhibited artists who create in a wide range of media, including paintings, drawings, sculpture, ceramics, glass, fine crafts, functional objects, fiber art and photographs. This 8,000 square foot, award-winning gallery in Oklahoma City’s Paseo Arts District changes its exhibits monthly in a gracious environment that fosters a dialogue between the arts and the larger community while providing quality art for first time buyers as well as individual, corporate and museum collections.
JRB Art at The Elms, the former home of Nan Sheets which was built in 1920, is located at 2810 North Walker and is open Monday through Saturday, 10-6, and Sunday 1-5.
Phone: (405) 528-6336 Website: www.jrbartgallery.com
Email: info@jrbartgallery.com