Hot Springs -- The public is invited to an opening reception featuring Traditional Art Guild members Bruce Cook and Ralph Conner from 1 to 3 p.m. on Saturday, May 17 in the terminal building at Hot Springs Memorial Field, 525 Airport Road. The exhibit will remain on display until mid-June.
Bruce Cook, a self-taught artist, spent his professional years in service as a U.S. Marine Corps officer, and 25 years as a clandestine operations officer in the Central Intelligence Agency. He is a recipient of the CIA’s Career Intelligence Medal. Cook specializes in painting landscapes with emphasis on rocky terrain and water features. He strives to celebrate the outdoor world by creating pictures that are pleasing to the eye as well as the soul. His works have been shown at Hot Springs Memorial Field, Garvan Gardens, Resort Cable, Regions Bank and the Garland County Library.
Ralph Conner has always enjoyed the arts. He began pencil drawing in high school. In his profession as a dental lab technician, he sculpted and carved crowns and bridges. Working with gold and ceramics, he was required to use subtle shading with various colors. Conner is a Bob Ross certified instructor in landscapes. He moved to Hot Springs many years ago from Northern California where he taught decorative painting. After several years of landscape painting, he achieved success painting animals. Conner is a member of The Society of Decorative Artists and a past member of the Artist Gallery Workshop.
TAG sponsors a new exhibit at the airport each month, and meets monthly at the Garland County Library from September through May. For membership information, contact President Doug Jones 501-915-0994 or traditionalartguild.com .