Linden artist Terri deNatale is looking up art information with Chris Wicker,Texarkana Regional Arts and Humanities Council Visual Arts Director. They are in the first floor gallery of the Texarkana Regional Arts Center.
Texarkana Regional Art Center’s first floor art gallery is recently remodeled and presents a tasteful display area especially for local art. Above, electronic images are also being shown on the walls as well as sculpture on pedestals as part of the 35th
Terri deNatale of Linden is shown with her art work — “The Daisy Sisters” — which has won selection to be among 70 pieces mounted in the 35th annual juried art show.This selection of the work was made from some 400 pieces of art submitted.
The artwork of deNatale is on exhibit in Texarkana
A watercolor painting by Linden artist Terri deNatale has earned acceptance into the Texarkana Regional Art Center’s 35th Annual Juried Exhibition for 2023.
Some 70 works were recently chosen for showing, and these were from almost 400 submissions for judging. The exhibition even had international representation. The works are now on show through September at the Texarkana Regional Arts Center (TRAC). deNatale’s watercolor is titled “The Daisy Sisters” and is modest in size yet big in impact. It is a “fun and cheerful painting,” de-Natale describes. “I wanted to paint something that brings a smile to the viewer.”
That she has succeeded with this intention is evident, for the same watercolor has been also juried into the distinguished American Impressionism Society On-Line exhibition 2023.
‘Juried art’ means that an art professional from outside the Texarkana area has looked at all the works submitted and judged those to be in the exhibition. The juror for this show was Iris Bechtol, gallery manager with the Oakcliff Cultural Center in Dallas, according to Chris Wicker, TRAHC visual arts director.
Terri’s successful juried art for 2023 was preceded by an earlier painting in 2021 titled “Cruisin’ Woodward” which also was juried into the exhibition. This painting then went on to receive the Yates Award which means it is part of the permanent collection that the TRAC museum owns.
Terri is often seen around Linden engaged in her work and promoting the community. She recently gave one of her paintings as a gift to raffle to raise money for the Linden Library.
She is an eager promotor of the arts and believes they have a deeper meaning for the public.
“I think art is an imaginary and spiritual bridge or pathway allowing the viewer to transcend boundaries,” she responded when asked.
“Artwork in a community brings differing perspectives,” agreed Wicker. “Art provides a way for viewers to reconsider their view on a multiple of things … which could be from how something looks to how the viewer feels on social issues.”
And where does Wicker believe the Texarkana Regional Art Center and its annual juried competition fit into this outlook?
“Texarkana’s Regional Art Center is an incredible chance for viewers to see engaging artwork. Viewers are able to experience different mediums ranging in content throughout the year. Our current 35th Annual Juried Exhibition even had international representation through our worldwide open call. Such an exhibition is so significant, because it allows our viewers a chance to experience what artists are making today without having to travel too far.”
As a contributing community artist, de-Natale is constantly encouraging public art. She is accustomed to achievement. When growing up in Northeast, Minnesota, she became a professional in skiiing and was a four year member of the U.S. Ski Team. A student at the University of Maine, she was a summa cum laude graduate and member of the Phi Beta Kappa honor society.
In her artist statement, deNatale said of her work, “Growing up on the North Shore of Lake Superior, I was provided a unique opportunity for exploration of the north woods and the vast number of fish water lakes. My love of the outdoors was nurtured as a child. I am able to express this love through my paintings. I do this so that the viewer may become involved emotionally as I am with nature.”