Why Arkansas Artists Love Living in The Natural State
Arkansas artists Alex Kent and Shelley Gentry each have unique artistic visions. Kent manifests his in striking photographs of nature, familiar and unknown products, and people. Gentry uses paint to create bright, often whimsical images, both realistic and abstract. Both artists love living in Arkansas and find that their home state is the perfect place for their art to flourish.
“It is possible to promote your art business on a global platform from almost any location, so the decision of where to create your art becomes one based on what you want to experience in your life,” says Gentry, an accomplished painter who lives in Little Rock. “I enjoy living in Arkansas because it offers a beautiful scenic backdrop to my life and a relaxed atmosphere where the pace can be as slow or as fast as you want it to be.”
The Natural State’s spectacular beauty, from mountains to big rivers, serene lakes and forests, may serve as the inspiration for artists here, but the practical side of making a life in art is equally important for artists in Arkansas. The state is comparatively affordable, with lower costs and ready availability of housing, studio space and gallery space. The relaxed pace of life here suits many artists, and Arkansas embraces the arts and artists.
“Support for the arts in Arkansas seems to be ever-growing, with great organizations like the Arkansas Museum of Fine Arts in Little Rock, Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art in Bentonville, Thea Foundation in North Little Rock and many other supportive galleries, clubs, nonprofits and businesses across the state,” says Kent, who is also of Little Rock. “I’ve found that people in Arkansas genuinely appreciate and invest in the arts. Like most places, there is always room for more arts funding and infrastructure, but overall, Arkansas values its artists.”
Arkansas Artist Builds Career and Life
Gentry has earned a large following for her colorful acrylic paintings of everything from chimpanzees and a vintage car bumper to bright spring flowers, cocktail glasses, silverware and vases.
Shelley Gentry
Painter
Little Rock, AR
“I love to explore the shapes, patterns and colors found within everyday objects,” the Arkansas artist says. “At a glance, my paintings may appear to be quite realistic, but with closer inspection, the intriguing patterns and shapes that make up the subject become obvious, and it is there that my excitement lies as an artist.”
Gentry was born in Arkansas and can’t remember a time when she wasn’t interested in art. She graduated from Hendrix College in Conway, AR, and spent six years in Chicago, where her husband did his anesthesiology residency. She earned a second degree in interior design while interning at a prestigious architectural firm. When they were expecting their first child, the couple returned to Little Rock.
Now that her two children are grown, Gentry paints daily in her home studio, teaches and is one of 20 artists who collectively owns and manages the Art Group Gallery, which enjoys enthusiastic community support.
“On a Saturday, we might have 20 to 25 visitors, and almost every morning, we have a class going on. People come in and say, ‘It’s just a happy place for me to come,’” she says.
Gentry also enjoys the area’s relaxed small-town vibe.
“It’s a rare day that I don’t run into someone I know when I am out and about,” she says. “I think this sense of community is part of the appeal of living here.”
Photographer Engages with His Community
Whether it’s a sleek shot of an air traffic control tower, a perfect mountain sunset or a skateboarder in mid-air, Kent’s unique photographic eye takes him seemingly everywhere. As a successful commercial photographer, he has worked with a variety of clients while building an impressive portfolio of natural landscapes, animals, lifestyle portraits, events and adventures. A graduate of the University of Central Arkansas, he is a devoted photography teacher of adults and children.
Alex Kent
Photographer
Little Rock, AR
Based in Little Rock, Kent is a native Arkansan who finds his home state has many advantages.
“Arkansas offers a mix of natural beauty and outdoor recreation activities, a rich history, affordability and a supportive community, which makes it a great place for artists to live,” he says. “We have diverse ecology, with the Ozark and Ouachita mountains, the Arkansas River Valley, the Mississippi Delta, swamps, farmland and more — so there’s a deep appreciation of nature here.”
Arkansas’ low cost of living, he says, allows artists “more freedom to focus on their work without the pressure of high expenses.”
Kent enjoys the statewide community of fellow artists in Arkansas’ cities and smaller towns, each with its own arts scene and local “personalities.” And engaging with the larger community is part of his life as an artist in Arkansas, as well.
“Being an artist isn’t just about making art. It’s about living with purpose and supporting the community around us,” he says. “Photography allows me to connect with people and places in meaningful ways, tell stories, evoke emotions, support my clients’ businesses and, at times, show something beautiful to the world.”
This article was sponsored by Arkansas Tourism.