El Dorado Springs gallery to open first exhibit Feb. 21

The Springs Gallery, a new not-for-profit contemporary Art Gallery located in El Dorado Springs, Mo., is hosting local artists from El Dorado Springs and the surrounding areas for its first exhibition and reception, 1-6 p.m., Feb. 21.

The new, 2,500-square-foot gallery expects to be full of all sorts of art and a wide variety of styles.

Ruth Cannady, who's organizing the event along with husband Vincent, said that it's her hope that by offering a public place where artist can exhibit work, gain inspiration, share ideas and learn about art and other artists, the public's awareness that "art is for everyone. It's not just one thing, or just for the upper class."

Cannady has a degree in art history, and although the area is, in her words, "beautiful, and a very inspiring area," she missed being involved with arts organizations. "So I thought it would be a good idea for local artists to have a space where they could show their work. It's quite important for young artists and creative people to have a place to gather" and to learn from one another.

The exhibit will feature local area painters who work with oil, acrylic, watercolor, mixed media, found objects and ink, as well as photographers.

The artists being shown are: Peggy Sibley, Hazel Brewer, Ladine Casey, Jeanne Board, Linda Rinehart, Debbie Wills, Ernest Harris, Christen Mazurak-Fike, Rachel Clark, Brian Brown, Tyler Schweizer and Josh Schrock.

Many of these artists are local favorites, and some are members of the Vernon County Arts Council.

"Word is getting around quickly," Cannady said, "I expected some folk art, things like that, but I'm very, very surprised at the amount of people coming. Quite a few are coming forward. Some of the artists haven't shown their work, because they haven't had a place nearby."

Almost all of the paintings and photographs will be on sale. Commissions are also taken by the artists exhibiting.

Future works exhibited at the Springs Gallery will include painting, photography, sculpture, ceramics, video and installation, digital art, textile, glass and print.

International, national and regional artists will be showing their work in the Springs Gallery. The event is free and open to the public; and the Cannady's say the gallery is committed to making the visual arts easily accessible in the rural areas.

The Springs Gallery is located at 105 East Highway 54.