U of O art professor named award recipient

University of the Ozarks Professor of Art Tammy Harrington, along with her husband Neal, will be the recipients of the prestigious Beaux Arts Academy Award as the Visual Artists of the Year from the River Valley Arts Center in Russellville, Ark.

The award will be presented during the organization’s 10th annual awards ceremony on April 13 at the Lake Point Conference Center.

The Beaux Arts awards are dedicated to the advancement of all art forms and are given to encourage excellence in art, as well as to recognize, show respect to and honor artists in the River Valley.

“The River Valley Arts Center is such a valuable arts resource to the area,” said Tammy Harrington, who has taught at Ozarks since 2002. “Neal and I have a long history of involvement and support with this organization. Our first interaction was a two-person show in 2002. Former director Betty LaGrone and the staff are so welcoming and supportive of the visual and theater arts. It is a great honor and it is feels fantastic to receive this distinguished award and to be embraced by the community.”

Harrington added that, “artmaking is a part of who I am. I am so fortunate that I have a life where I can share my passion for art with my students, to foster their artistic growth and development. Life can get pretty busy with jobs, families, and other responsibilities. On top of all that, I also make time to create artwork. This is a necessity. Artmaking always brings me to a space where I become immersed in the process and I lose track of time. Art is my vocation and it nourishes my soul.”

Neal Harrington, who is an art professor at Arkansas Tech University, served as an adjunct at U of O in 2015.

Tickets to the awards ceremony are $50 and they can be purchased at the River Valley Arts Center, 1001 East B Street, Russellville, or over the phone at 479-968-2452.

Topics: Art