Eureka Springs Gallery Association

"Basin Park at Christmas" photo by Randal Thompson

Christmastime in Eureka Springs is delightful! The Victorian houses decorated in colorful lights, with blow-up bears and antique ornaments — well, you never know what to expect in Eureka Springs, but it’s always fun! DonE has been extra busy  this year, putting his creative energies into some amazing displays at our springs and public spaces. Driving through Eureka Springs in the evening is quite a delight!

And this weekend promises lots of fun in the form of events. From 1-6 on Saturday the 10th, we have the Sweet Treats Tour brought to us by local Bed and Breakfast establishments. For more information on this tasty event, visit www.relaxeureka.com

One of my favorite singers will be at the New Delhi on Main Sreet this weekend: Bella Donna. This swing-jazz group captured my heart with their lead singer. She’s so good I asked her if she was Maria Muldaur’s granddaughter!

And after enjoying dinner and Bella Donna, visit the galleries of Eureka Springs for the 2nd Saturday Gallery Stroll. We will have many fun events to enjoy. And don’t forget that Leo at Zark’s is collecting food and pet items for his friends at the Good Shepherd Humane Society. You can bring items to Zarks, or if you don’t want to carry things around with you, drop them off directly at the Society or Doggie Shop on Van Buren.

The Gallery Stroll happens from 6 to 9 p.m. and Eureka Thyme is very excited about its featured artists, Lyla Allison and Carrie Marry! Most people who live in Eureka know these wonderful women, and for those of you who have not met them, you’re in for a treat! Carrie Marry creates handwoven items and Eureka Thyme is proud to sell her beautiful scarfs. Lyla Allison is a metalsmith whose creations are classic and modern, simple and elegant, just as she herself is! Visit us for cookies and cider (soft or hard!) and find perfect gifts for the holidays and beyond!!

We look forward to seeing you soon!!!

For the 2nd Satiurday Gallery Stroll in Eureka Springs, Eureka Thyme will host a double-header with Ken Starbird and Carol Birdsong. These two artists will be available to meet you from 1-4 p.m. and again during the regularly scheduled stroll fro 6-9 p.m.

Carol Birdsong will show us her unusual creations called vertebabes. These works of art start out as a cow vertebra (please think of this as recycled natural material!). She adds polymer clay to create something so sweet and funny that I must smile every time I look at them!

Ken Starbird’s art includes amazing ceramic sculptures which have earned him the description of wizard. His ceramic creations have been described as “both anthropomorphic and divine”. We agree! Visit us to meet Ken and experience the unusual textures and designs that are his trademark and which have become a staple of Eureka Thyme.

The 2nd Saturday Gallery Stroll at Eureka Thyme will feature the beautiful pottery creations of Jim and Sarah Young from Van Hollow Pottery. Jim is a master potter and teacher with over 39 years experience. Sarah’s expertise is creating innovative surface designs on the pottery. Together they produce functional handmade pottery — high-fire stoneware and porcelain — for everyday use and unique gifts. Their work also includes Extreme Forms which are large ceramic works that have architectural value for special display opportunities. Meet Jim and Sarah and view their creations on Saturday, October 8th from 1-4 p.m. and again during the regularly scheduled gallery stroll from 6-9 p.m.

Saturday, September 10, promises to be a wonderful Gallery Stroll. This will be the final day in our punch card promotion, featuring 14 galleries of Eureka Springs. Pick up a card and let it lead you through the Art of Eureka! 

At Eureka Thyme we will feature David Rush, who has been creating flame on copper paintings for a number of years. This year he’s come up with a twist on his creations! He has a new series which he calls, “Dance Like Nobody’s Watching”. I must be honest in saying this is one of the most exciting series of paintings I have ever seen! He will be featured on September 10th during the 2nd Saturday Gallery Stroll in downtown Eureka Springs. Meet David and Melanie — oh, I almost forgot!! Melanie Myhre is a wonderful artist who works in traditional painting format, glass, paper, and photography, which we will be featuring this week. She is doing some innovative work which I think of as transformation photography, and we look forward to sharing this with you. David and Melanie will be with us from 1-4 p.m. and again from 6 to 9 p.m during the regularly scheduled Stroll.

On Saturday, August 13th, the Eureka Springs Gallery Association will kick off our annual punch card contest.  This year’s contest is bigger and better as we have invited more galleries to join in the fun.  There will be eight chances to win a gift certificate that can be spent at any of the participating galleries. 

In addition to the seven member galleries, Iris at the Basin Park, Eureka Thyme, Zark’s Fine Design Gallery, Quicksilver Gallery, The Jewel Box, 83 Spring Street Gallery and Fusion Squared, seven other galleries have agreed to participate, making this a city wide event.  Prospect Gallery, Serendipity at the Crescent, Regalia Handmade Clothing Studio,  JA Nelson Gallery, Out on Main, ARTifacts Folk & Fine Art and Fantasty & Stone join us to make a total of 14 galleries taking part in this event. 

Here’s how it works.  Pick up a card at any of the participating galleries. Visit each one, have your card punched and leave it behind at the last one you go to.  Make sure to fill out all the information so that we can contact you if you are a winner of any of the eight gift certificates.  You have until Saturday, September 10th to complete your card.  The drawing will take place the following Sunday and you don’t have to be present to win.   

Good luck, have fun, and let your artistic journey begin!