The sixth annual Regional Celebration of African-American Artists brings some of the region’s top art from regional black artists to the Regional Arts Center in downtown Texarkana.

The exhibit, open until Feb. 7, offers a diverse selection of work to enjoy.

“There’s mixed-media, there’s oil and acrylic, pen and ink, pencil, woven cloth,” said Bryan Phillips, community programs coordinator for the Texarkana Regional Arts and Humanities Council.

Two quilts on display not only impress with the artistry and care that went into their creation, but are also the kind of work that naturally connects with the viewers.

“It’s not only that appreciation, it’s that personal reflection,” said Phillips.

Tareka Lofton’s portrait of a young girl at her recital shows an eye for colorful detail and an appreciation for family, observed Phillips.

“I just love the pigtails with those beads up on top,” he noted about the portrait.

Elsewhere in the exhibit, a portrait of football player, Texarkana native, and NFL Hall of Famer Willie Davis is striking in the way it renders the reserved power of an athlete. The portrait captures a gaze of striking intensity.

About one of Dr. Teretha Harper’s pieces, Phillips said, “You have all these little harmonies right here. You have this Oriental lettering right here, and yet you have the greens and the warms and yellows and the browns of an African Kente.”

It’s work that incorporates many elements to it. “It’s almost like a stained glass window in a way,” said Phillips.

The exhibit was kicked off by “The African-American Voice” event at the RAC last week, a night of song and performance that drew a large crowd.



(The exhibit is free to the public. The RAC is open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday with a 7 p.m. close on Thursday. More info: www.trahc.org or 903-792-8681.)