Heart of America Artists' Association Event Archive
We’ve Been Creating Events Since 2009!
Heart of America Artists’ Association is an organization with heart, and it shows. We love our region of the country and strive to provide exhibitions and education that will encourage creativity, build relationships, and improve the state of art appreciation and patronage in the heart of America. Below is a complete archive of all that we have done. Enjoy!
OCTOBER – DECEMBER 2021
The little town of Siloam Springs has a big heart for the arts, and plein air artists and enthusiasts enjoyed the hospitality and plentiful painting motifs. The exhibit was held at the Downtown Dance Studio in Siloam Springs during the annual Siloam Springs Homegrown Festival. Over 20 artists participated, and made this a successful event.
OCTOBER – DECEMBER 2021
The little town of Siloam Springs has a big heart for the arts, and plein air artists and enthusiasts enjoyed the hospitality and plentiful painting motifs. The exhibit was held at the Phat Tire Bike Shop in downtown Siloam Springs during the annual Siloam Springs Homegrown Festival. Close to 25 artists participated, and made this a successful event.
New to the event in 2021, college and high school awards were included. Also, a day of mentoring was conducted for adults and children.
MARCH 2019 – DECEMBER 2020
Arkansas Territory Collection and Exhibition
The show featured over 80 paintings by artists from nine states. It traveled for 2 years in the states of Arkansas and Oklahoma.
OCTOBER – DECEMBER 2020
The little town of Siloam Springs has a big heart for the arts, and plein air artists and enthusiasts enjoyed the hospitality and plentiful painting motifs. The exhibit was held October 24th at the Phat Tire Bike Shop in downtown Siloam Springs. Close to 25 artists participated, and made this a successful event.
June 2019
Summer Paintout at Lake Fayetteville
We typically have one major event each year, so we’ve sought to provide the association a fun, relaxing opportunity through the Summer Paintout. In 2019, Lewis and Clark Outfitters of Fayetteville, Arkansas asked if they could sponsor and host the event. Not only did the 25 artists have a wonderful day painting around the lake, but the retail store hosted a cookout and kids art activity station as well.
October 2018
Community Plein Air Paintout at Botanical Gardens of the Ozarks
Heart of America Artists’ Association invited all community artists, beginners to advanced, to come to an impromptu plein air paintout at the Botanical Gardens of the Ozarks on October 18, 2018. Two of the top plein air artists in the United States, Todd Williams and John Lasater, and board members of the Heart of America Artists’ Assoc, were be present to provide advice and critique.
July 2018
Summer Paintout and Cookout
Approximately 20 artists spent the day at the property of board member John Lasater in northwest Arkansas painting the beautiful rural scenery. In the evening there was an informal exhibition of the wet paintings, and neighbors and artists alike enjoyed a cookout till late in the evening.
FALL 2017
5th Annual Illinois River Salon
The Illinois River Salon was a juried event in partnership with the Illinois River Watershed Partnership that featured artwork celebrating the beautiful Illinois River Watershed of Northwest Arkansas and Northeast Oklahoma. The show repeated annual for five years 2013-2017. It was a magnificent representation of how artists can take a rather overlooked geographical region and find distinct motifs within.
Every year the show opening was held at the prestigious Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art, and in its final year the entire show was held at Art Ventures Gallery in Fayetteville, Arkansas.
July 2017
Summer Paintout and Cookout
Approximately 15 artists spent the day at the property of board member John Lasater in northwest Arkansas painting the beautiful rural scenery. In the evening there was an informal exhibition of the wet paintings, and neighbors and artists alike enjoyed a cookout till late in the evening.
FALL 2016
4th Annual Illinois River Salon
FALL 2015
3rd Annual Illinois River Salon
FALL 2014
2nd Annual Illinois River Salon
FALL 2013
1st Annual Illinois River Salon
MAY 2010
2nd Annual Heart of America Artists Rendezvous – Plein Air Festival
The Heart of America Artists’ Association was founded by two plein air painters, so it was incumbent to begin with an outdoor painting event. The Rendezvous happened in Bentonville, Arkansas for two years 2009, and 2010. Approximately 50 artists participated each year, and the turnout from the community for the painting sale was tremendous.
MAY 2009