Eureka Springs AR — On Saturday evening November 8th, from 6 to 9 p.m., the Eureka Fine Art Company, located at 78 Spring Street in the Historic District of downtown Eureka Springs, Arkansas, is opening an art show entitled “The Universe of James Yale,” a retrospective of work by internationally known artist James Yale.

The centerpiece of the exhibition is Yale’s recently completed portrait of Albert Einstein, “E equals MC².” Many other works by the artist, including sketches, drawings, paintings, and sculpture dating back to 1972, are to be on exhibit as well. Gallery owner Russell Murphy says that some of these pieces by Yale have not been shown before, and many will be available for purchase by the general public.

“James is particularly excited at the prospect of this pending exhibition,” Murphy says. “He has never seen his works exhibited at the same time and in the same space. More than just a retrospective, the show will be a genuine celebration of the body of work of a spectacularly significant contemporary American artist.”

Yale, whose paintings include portraits of such iconic figures as Sam Walton, Bill Clinton, and Willie Nelson, is himself an American original who has exhibited his work at fine art shows throughout the U.S., Canada and Mexico.

Yale’s connection to Eureka Springs spans over thirty-five years, and began with his introduction to fellow fine artist Susan Morrison, who also enjoys an international reputation for her painstakingly detailed wildlife drawings.

Attracted by its reputation as an art community, Yale subsequently moved to Eureka Springs, establishing it as a home base while traveling during the early ’70s. He presently makes his home in nearby Rogers, Arkansas.

Northwest Arkansas has since become the location for several of Yale’s own studios including the Chambered Nautilus Studio and Gallery, and Juxtaom Fine Arts Gallery. Both were located in Eureka Springs.

Yet still another widely known Eureka Springs artist, Denise Ryan, will be on hand at the gallery earlier that Saturday to meet art patrons and collectors from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Like Yale’s, Ryan’s oils emphasize a photographic realism contrasted by brilliantly surrealistic themes. Of her work, Yale has said, “Denise Ryan is a wonderful, imaginative artist and a true Master.”

Established in 1989 by Randy Woodward, Eureka Fine Art Company is the largest art gallery in the region and features a wide array or both original art and fine art reproductions.

Murphy and his wife, Teressa, both formerly of Little Rock, purchased the gallery from Woodward earlier this year. This exhibit inaugurates the re-opening of the top floor gallery space.

Murphy notes that the fall colors are just beginning to emerge in this Northwest Arkansas town recognized as one of the top twenty-five art destinations in the U.S.

“It’s a great time of year for anyone interested in Yale’s work to have an extra reason to visit Eureka Springs. Eureka Fine Arts Company, a charter member of Eureka Springs Gallery Association, 78 Spring Street. 479-253-6595 or visit www.eurekafineartcompany.com for information.

The Eureka Springs Gallery Association, an eclectic collection of nine Fine Art and Fine Crafts galleries all located along Spring Street in the historic hillside Arkansas community, has pledged to support the American Cancer Society for a special fundraising opportunity, “The Ornament Project”.

Artists from each gallery will be selected to design limited edition star ornaments, signed and numbered, to be sold for $50. There are no restrictions on the artist as to size or material, which will result in an interesting collection as diverse as the galleries themselves. All funds from the ornament sale will benefit the American Cancer Society.

Star Ornaments at 83 Spring Gallery

Eureka Springs Gallery Association will dedicate their “Second Saturday Gallery Stroll” of December 13 to American Cancer Society event.

Gallery Association members include: Fusion Squared, 83 Spring Street Gallery, Eureka Fine Art Company, The Jewel Box, Quicksilver Gallery, Zarks, Eclectic Edge, Hooks Gallery and Iris at the Basin Park.

Gallery hours for Second Saturday Strolls are 6 to 9 pm, April through December. Call 479-253-4999 for further information, and remember to inquire about free parking.

Many sculpture collectors consider Mark Hopkins the master of contemporary works in bronze, as in a person with the highest level of skill in his chosen field. In the spirit of the master, 83 Spring Street Gallery in Eureka Springs becomes a sculptural mecca on Saturday, October 25 when Mark Hopkins presents his new bronze collection for 2008 …and in celebration of his 20 year journey to becoming one of the premier fine-artist-craftsmen in the United States.

Be it tabletop sculpture or a massive monumental work, Mark’s fascination with every aspect of life from historical events, children at play and wildlife reflect a stylistic hand and eye with the resultant “bronze in motion”…..an expression of the artist himself.

Mark who will be accompanied by his son, Eli, salutes 83 Spring Street Gallery and its firm status as the flagship for his bronze treasures in the United States , with an unusual special event. One could title the event “first come first served,” in that there will be a limited number of one-of-a-kind sculptures numbered 1 / 1, and when they are sold that’s the last of that piece. Mark and Eli will be in the 83 Spring Street Gallery on Saturday, October 25 from 10 am through 5 pm. Linger with the artists, and join in the celebration of Mark’s 20 years as master artist and sculpture of the world around us.

83 Spring Street Gallery, a charter member of the Eureka Springs Gallery Association, at 83 Spring Street. Visit www.theartofeureka.com for more information, or call 479-253-8310 for further information. And remember to inquire about free parking!