Press Room:
Arkansas Arts Center exhibits works by Judy Onofrio

For more information contact:
Emily Fraize, 501-396-0308
efraize@arkarts.com
August 2, 2005
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Arkansas Arts Center exhibits works by Judy Onofrio

The exhibition features 33 mixed-media sculptures, both large and small, by the Minnesota artist. These three-dimensional collages are playful and humorous depictions of gypsies, fortunetellers, aerialists and other circus personae. Onofrio states, "As an adult I am fascinated with the old circus extravaganza. I use the circus as a stage for my work, a place for personal stories."

Onofrio covers the surface of her whimsical sculptures with found objects such as bottle caps, beads, shells, marbles, broken mirrors and china. Her work has always been about imagined journeys, unattainable adventures, longed-for places and the wishes and dreams that elude most people. The sculptures allow her to tell stories and re-create memories, and always provide an active narrative for her work.

Works by Onofrio can be seen in the collections of museums such as the Arkansas Arts Center, the Smithsonian's National Design Museum in New York and the Arabia Museum in Helsinki, Finland. Admission is free. For additional information call 501-372-4000 or visit www.arkarts.com.

EXHIBITION RELATED EVENTS

"Best Kept Secret - Secret Boxes" Museum School Workshop
Friday, September 9, 2005 10 am-5 pm
Arkansas Arts Center Museum School

Judy Onofrio will lead this hands-on workshop for "secret boxes". People hide all kinds of objects in boxes: photographs, old love letters, Grandma's hand-made quilt, out-of-date clothes, etc. Often the things that get relegated to boxes are pieces of your past or parts of yourself that you'd rather not let out into the light of day for whatever reason: it's embarrassing or haunting or just plain secret. The object of this workshop is to create a box for a secret part of you. It can be anything, from a tangible object, to a secret desire, to a fledgling idea not yet ready to be revealed. Give equal thought to both the content/idea of the inside of your box and how that may relate to what the viewer sees on the outside.

Workshop participants should bring one or more sturdy boxes of any size, preferably made from wood or a material that can take glue, nails, screws, holes drilled into it, etc.; and a caulk gun that contains a cylinder of clear non-latex silicone glue. Registrants will be mailed a full list of materials they should bring to the workshop. Cost is $65 for AAC members and $90 non-members, which includes a box lunch. To register, call 501-372-4000 or visit www.arkarts.com and click on Museum School.

"Art Under the Big Top" Family Day
Saturday, October 1, 2005 10 am-2 pm
Arkansas Arts Center Atrium

Families are invited to explore the circus on a scavenger hunt and kid-friendly tour of the exhibition Judy Onofrio: Come One, Come All. An interactive gallery guide is provided for individual expeditions. Docent led family tours are held at 10am, 11am, noon and 1pm.

Using buttons, beads and other found objects, children will construct circus-themed sculptures in the hands-on workshops, held at 10:30am and 1:30pm. Gallery tours are free. Workshops require reservations and cost $6. To register, call Curator of Education Erin Branham at 501-396-0367.

GENERAL INFORMATION
Contact: 501-372-4000
Location: Arkansas Arts Center – 9th and Commerce, Little Rock, AR 72202
Gallery Hours: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday
11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday
Closed Monday and Major Holidays