BELLA VISTA -- The Bella Vista Arts Council is pleased to honor Dana Johnson as the June 2019 Artist of the Month.
Johnson will be honored at a public reception at 4 p.m. Thursday, June 27, at Simple Pleasures, 13718 Rothbury Drive in Bella Vista.
As the son of a talented wildlife artist, catching up to his father's achievements was difficult. However, in 2012, Johnson purchased his first digital camera to capture nature the way he viewed it. Through photography, living in beautiful Bella Vista has given him an incredible palette to practice and refine his skills with a camera and a playground to commune with nature.
During Johnson's lifetime career as a construction superintendent, most of his time was spent on the road. Away from home, the camera gave him a new hobby and a way to share experiences with family and friends by posting photos on Facebook.
Those who follow Johnson on Facebook know that he is an early riser and loves to capture the first light of dawn. Now that he is retired, Johnson seldom misses a sunrise.
Some of Johnson's photos have been published locally in "We R Bella Vista," the 2017 Bella Vista Business Association's publication and the Bella Vista City Guide. Exhibits have been held at the 2016 and 2018 Bella Vista garden parties, the Bella Vista Public Library and the Artist Retreat Center.
Last year, Johnson's first book was published, "Bella Vista, Arkansas," which included images of Bella Vista through the eyes of a nature and wildlife photographer and a photographic 2019 Bella Vista calendar.
His work has won numerous awards, including Editor's Favorite recognition from National Geographic, and has placed 10th out of 10,233 international photographers in Pixoto's Best Photographer of the Year award in the category of landscapes.
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The Bella Vista Arts Council, an advisory board to the Bella Vista City Council, was created by the City Council in February 2016 to help promote the arts in Bella Vista. The board established an Artist of the Month program in which selected artists and their work will be showcased to the public. Three volunteers serve on the selection committee -- Sara Parnell of the Artist Retreat Center; Pearl Williamson, president of Wishing Springs Gallery; and Demara Titzer, curator of several galleries in Bentonville.
The committee chooses each month from qualified artists, who must be residents of Bella Vista and have their work displayed somewhere in the city. Showcased artists will have their work displayed at the Artist Retreat Center and, during the month they are recognized, the work will be on display in a location around the city, such as the Bella Vista Library or Historical Museum.
To submit your name or other nominations for consideration, contact Parnell at the Artist Retreat Center, 479-268-6463, or email [email protected].
General News on 06/12/2019