The third installation of art panels was unveiled this past Saturday in the parking lot on North Main known as the Artery. The four by eight foot painted and sculpted pieces are works rendered by Arkansas artists. The panels, 27 in number, cover an unsightly concrete wall turning the parking lot into an impressive outdoor gallery. The works will hang for one year, are available for purchase, and can be hung indoors or outside.

The theme for the third annual collaboration is «Icons from soup to saints.» Artists from as far away as Monticello, nearby Washington and Benton counties, and homeys from Eureka Springs interpreted the theme with vastly different views.

The images depict actual saints, pretend saints, favorite artists, pop icons, and the «I'll have to think about that one?» pieces.

Letting the artists loosely interpret the theme gave them creative flexibility while given to us an insight into the creative direction of each participant.

Local sculptor Eric Scheunemann created one of the few three dimensional works. His panel portrays hope for the future using icons that when viewed from top to bottom take us from images of oil dependency moving upward to finely crafted metal works depicting alternative fuel sources.

Scheunemann chose a phoenix as the topper for his piece as a symbol for the country to rise once again. Eric said the phoenix was the original symbol for the United States before being bumped by the eagle.

Who knew that Connie Evans of Local Flavor fame was an extremely talented painter! Her panel of John Lennon exposes her as a fabulous artist. Connie said she chose Lennon as her icon hoping for a return to his philosophies in this troubling time.

Berryville artist Randy Rust chose his wife Barbara as his favorite icon. In a touching and beautiful explanation of the subject selection, Rust said that she was an icon symbolizing motherly devotion. He described how Barbara had lovingly raised their children as she endured hardships experienced while living for many years in rugged Alaska. Randy's fabulous panel elevates his wife to the status of deserved sainthood.

Two Fayetteville artists had panels among my favorite pieces.

Although I could not quite follow Beth Post's explanation of her work that started with Christ, to temptation, from there to Alice in Wonderland and the Drag Queen of Hearts, I really needed no explanation. The piece, «The Temptation of Alice,» stood alone as a work of art that was playful, well composed, and nicely rendered.

Lily Kuonen's interpretation of Pandora is strongly reminiscent of Thomas Hart Benton's work and is exceptionally powerful in its' movement and color. Lily described her panel by essentially saying she had no planned explanation during the creation as the work kept evolving and the theme changing. She rendered a verbal interpretation after the fact, a common practice among artists when asked «what does this mean?»

Your eyes will tell you all you need to know about this work. The story is there. I suggest you get down to see it soon. I think someone will purchase it right away and it will be gone. If money was no object, that someone would be me. The price is $5,000 and worth every penny.

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Artery is the brainchild of Charlotte Buchanan who along with a devoted crew worked many hours gathering and hanging the show. Ms. Buchanan has given the community a great gift by turning one butt ugly wall into a showcase of beautiful art that has garnered national attention. The works are for sale with 60% going to the artist and 40% to an artists' trust that keeps the project funded.

In the near future the works can be viewed and purchased by clicking on «The Artery» at www.eurekaspringsartists.com. Immediate inquires can be made by calling Charlotte at 479-981-1135.

When talking about art «up against the wall» is a good thing.

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