The South Arkansas Gallery Collective initially started as a conversation about changing exhibits that had been housed by the El Dorado Conference Center for several years. Down one hallway of the conference center hung eight lovely Japanese prints from the South Arkansas Arts Center's permanent collection; down the other hallway were several black and white photo prints donated to South Arkansas Community College which have since been moved to be displayed in the Mahoney Family Library on the SouthArk campus.

 

What began as a desire for a fresh look, turned into an opportunity to showcase some of what El Dorado has to offer. The South Arkansas Arts Center was more than willing to take back their Japanese prints and curate a new exhibit from their permanent collection, but that left us with another entire hallway to fill. The South Arkansas Historical Preservation Society jumped on board and was excited to take on gallery space as well as a display case in the conference center.

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From there, we developed a name and logo. Thus, the South Arkansas Gallery Collective: A partnership between the SouthArk Foundation, South Arkansas Arts Center, and the South Arkansas Historical Preservation Society, was born. Our team has worked hard to present an exhibit that tells some of El Dorado’s story, and celebrates its people and its history.

 

 

The Current Exhibits

 

Selections from the SAAC Permanent Collection from the South Arkansas Arts Center

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Regional School History from the South Arkansas Historical Preservation Society

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Come by the El Dorado Conference Center to see the exhibit for yourself; you just might learn a thing or two!

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What's Next?

 

These exhibits will be rotated out every few months. Visitors can keep an eye out for South Arkansas Gallery Collective news on the conference center's social media channels.

 

In the meantime, the El Dorado Conference Center invites and encourages community members and visitors to come view the exhibits. 

 

Visit our partners' websites for more information: The SouthArk Foundation, South Arkansas Arts Center, South Arkansas Historical Preservation Society