Art Attack

John Rankine – Me, myself and I are back and were asked to write commentary on the May Festival of the Arts, Eureka Springs’ month-long celebration of the arts and artists.

It was a party, a fundraiser and the perfect May Day festival kickoff for beloved Eureka Springs artist Max Elbo. The venue was packed with friends and fans celebrating the man whose early posters for the Blues and Jazz Festival events remain iconic.

The 15-minute short of the upcoming feature length film about the Eureka Springs Non-Discrimination Ordinance can be viewed at the AUD this Thursday, starting at 7. Peace in the Valley has already stirred up controversy within the local gay community, and the producer and director will conduct a Q&A after the flick. Having seen the short, I, for one, have several questions, like “WTF is going on with that ending”?

Ok, here comes the really self-serving part.

I am honored to be Grand Marshal of the Artrageous Parade, (What to wear, what to wear?) and will be riding in some yet-to-be-decided float with a lovely secret guest by my side. The parade winds down Spring St. Saturday at 5, followed by Drumming In The Park at 6 and a slideshow of my “On My Morning Walk” photographs at dusk.

On My Morning Walk evolved from the ritual walk taken each morning along our rural road with my three dogs and iPhone in tow. Over the period of a year I have snapped a daily picture of the surrounding nature and posted it to social media.

Two hundred of these images will be presented as a slideshow and projected onto the wall of the Basin Park bandshell Thur.–Sat. evenings. For daytime viewing, vintage photo-viewers containing the images will be dangling in the center of the park.

Forty of the most “Liked” photographs on Facebook will be framed and exhibited at the newly expanded Brews, with an opening reception this Friday, May 6, from 5 to 8 p.m.

There’s a whole lot more going on during May and promise I will put ME aside to focus on other exciting people and events like the Plein Air Festival, Ms. Gina Gallina and her crochet posse, Saturday Night Gallery Strolls, White Street Studio Walk, Books in Bloom and more.

Pick up an Independent Fun Guide to read a feature piece that just happens to be all about ME.