FLOWOOD — Members of the Flowood arts and business communities gathered at Pacesetter Gallery on Aug. 8 to celebrate Mississippi artist Carol Roark and the amazing ways her solo show, “Mississippi Muse: From Field to Studio,” inspired artists, poets, photographers and the public.
During Roark’s show earlier this summer, the art gallery and the artist collaborated on multiple art experiences for the public to enjoy, like a live painting demonstration and an open mic poetry night.
“When a community comes together around the arts, everybody wins! Creatives inspire each other which, in turn, inspires everyone around them. When the community as a whole embraces that inspiration, something magical is bound to happen,” said Roark.
Roark’s art will continue to inspire Mississippians since her painting, “As the Crows Fly,” has been purchased by Community Bank to hang in their new headquarters, opening soon in the Waterpointe development of Flowood, along with work by Pacesetter Gallery artists Justin Selway, Jason Davis, and Chuck Rhoads, and many more works from artists who call Mississippi home.
True to their namesake, Community Bank has invested back into Mississippi by exclusively featuring original local art in each of their banks
At Pacesetter’s August “Open Mic Poetry Night,” Mississippi poets Linda Owen and Bill Gressett expressed the beauty of Mississippi by painting Roark’s landscapes in words through their ekphrastic poems. Owen and Gressett are members of the Mississippi Poetry Society.
Ekphrastic poems are created by vividly describing a piece of art. Through the imaginative act of narrating and reflecting, the poet can expand and share their views and thoughts that were inspired by the piece of art.
“Each time I step inside Pacesetter Gallery I am transported into the dynamic worlds of an array of exceptional Mississippi artists. Each opening of the door is new and fresh and exhilarating!” said poet Linda Owen. “As a poet, I’m accustomed to working alone, as most creatives are, and I confess that I did not expect to be as creatively energized as I have been by Pacesetter’s artists ... yet, here I am swept blissfully away on the current of so many worlds of possibilities. What a gift to artists of every genre Pacesetter Gallery is!”
Linda is the immediate past president of the Mississippi Poetry Society and is currently the president of the MPS Central Branch. Her work is noted for excellence and is featured in the Mississippi Poetry Journals, Celebrating Mississippi, Mississippi Milestones, The Society of Classical Poets, The Delta Poetry Review, and FaithWriters among others.
At the celebration event, framed copies of Owen’s poem, “Mississippi Meadow,” inspired by Roark’s painting, “As the Crows Fly,” were presented to Community Bank and to the artist.
“Bringing together the public to understand the talent of Mississippi artists and creatives is one of the main missions of Pacesetter Gallery,” said artist and gallery owner Keri Davis. “It’s great to have partners that see the importance of investing back into our art and growing our community, like Community Bank, the Flowood Chamber of Commerce, and the Mississippi Poetry Society.”
Justin Martin, chief operating officer for Community Bank, said, “Community Bank takes great pride in supporting local artists. We want each of our buildings to showcase local artists and the wonderful talent that call our communities home. Our partnership with Pacesetter Gallery allows us to do just that, while giving our new corporate office a stunning display of artwork.”
During Roark’s solo show, Mississippi photographer Elijah Harris was inspired to create a photo-documentation video as the new piece, “Little Bit of Color,” came to life during Roark’s three-hour live painting demonstration.
Harris stated, “Art opens doors to new ways of seeing the world. Walking into the gallery makes me so happy to see all the colorful works of art. Viewing each unique piece from an artist is mentally, physically, and emotionally healing. The beauty in knowing the gallery is filled with Mississippi artists is so inspiring. It’s always a joyous time being involved in the gallery.”
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After receiving her Bachelor of Fine Arts from Mississippi State University, Carol Roark spent several years as an equine illustrator and portrait artist. During that time, she painted some of the top quarter horses that ever lived and became the Dixie National Quarter Horse Show’s official cover artist for a decade.
Her work was also featured on the cover The Chronicle of the Horse magazine.
Roark desired more dynamics of light and dark and complexity of color, which ultimately led her outdoors. She attributes studying under famed colorist Sammy Britt for the color and light knowledge she uses in her work today.
Living upon the bluffs north of Charleston on Highway 35, each day in the delta brings new inspiration to Roark. She wants her paintings to bring love of the outdoors in and wants the viewer to feel the breeze, hear the crickets, and squint at the sun.
Roark is a member of the American Impressionist Society, Oil Painters of America, the Mississippi Oil Painters Association, Mississippi Plein Air Painters, and is current president of the Memphis/ Germantown Art League.
Roark is represented by the premier galleries of Mississippi and her work can be found in homes and commercial spaces. She is the owner of Roark Studios, where she has taught weekly classes and workshops since 1994.
Her work may be viewed at www.carolroark.com.
Editor’s note: Roark is a past executive director of the Charleston Arts and Revitalization Effort (CARE).
