Ouachita Stories

Ouachita Baptist University is sponsoring “Culmination,” an exhibit of works by guest artist Thomas Morrissey at the Arkadelphia Arts Center through April 24.

The retrospective exhibit, which opened March 29, is comprised of selections from several bodies of work by Morrissey. The exhibit of photographic and mixed media drawings includes 40 works that are representative of Morrissey’s interests throughout his career.

“We want to support Christian artists working in our community,” said Summer Bruch, OBU assistant professor of Art and Design. “Tom has a space in downtown Texarkana that he plans to renovate into a Christian-valued arts center.”

Morrissey’s work was greatly affected by his tour in Vietnam with the U.S. Army as a helicopter pilot. War and its effects have been the subject of much of his photographic work throughout his career. Specifically, he has focused on the healing process at the National Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington, D.C.

“His work really speaks to veterans and people who are close to a veteran. We felt this body of work could reach out to everyone affected by war,” Bruch said. “One of the most striking things about the images is how war affected people from all walks of life.”

In addition to war-themed images, the exhibit includes photographs that capture “snippets of daily life,” Morrissey said.

Morrissey’s books Between the Lines: Photographs from the National Vietnam Veterans Memorial and Snippets Part I will both be on display at the exhibit. Between the Lines will be available to veterans for $10 and to the general public for $20.

Gallery hours for the exhibit are Thursday-Saturday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. All exhibits at the Arkadelphia Arts Center are free and open to the public.

By Nicci Fillinger