“Step Forward/Stand Back” at South Arkansas Arts Center (SAAC)

July 1 - July 24, 2021

July 1 - July 24, 2021

Jay Shinn’s exhibition Step Forward/Stand Back was created by a distinct moment in time. When the COVID-19 pandemic brought an abrupt halt to all our lives, Shinn’s busy travel and exhibition schedule was instantly interrupted. That great pause, however, created space for reflection, and directed his thoughts back to the South Arkansas Arts Center, in El Dorado, where he took some of his first painting classes as a teenager from neighboring Magnolia.

At the South Arkansas Arts Center, we are honored to have the opportunity to celebrate Shinn’s impact on the arts community, as well as his deep roots in South Arkansas. The works included in this exhibition represent the strength of his unique voice in color, light, and movement. They also draw a direct connection between his earliest efforts as a student artist at SAAC, an example of which can be seen just inside the gallery door, to his mature work in neon, acrylic, and projection.

Viewers will find more than a dozen works in a variety of mediums, all infused with color and energy in a deceptively minimalist package. There can be no doubt that the work included in Step Forward/Stand Back will become an important part of the history of SAAC, and of the vibrant arts community contained within. The exhibition is truly a labor of love, a visible representation of Shinn’s appreciation for SAAC’s role as an incubator for his artistic career, and an opportunity for South Arkansas to honor his artistic legacy in return.

Laura Allen / Executive Directory SAAC