'Tiny But Mighty'

Eve Smith, visual arts and program director at the Arts Center of the Ozarks, calls it a "tiny but mighty fundraiser."

"It's always an exciting and daunting challenge to create on not only a square, but a 5-by-5 inch square," says Smith. "Although the art pieces are small, they always have a big impact."

This year, Smith counts more than 200 creations donated by some of the region's favorite artists for the annual 5x5 Jazz Soiree & Auction on Thursday. Bidding starts at $25, and proceeds from the event -- now in its 15th year -- will help support the center's efforts to expand community arts programs.

The Soiree, which starts at 5:55 p.m. -- a cheeky nod to the theme -- will also include a "pop-up coffee bar," sweets provided by local companies Shelby Lynn's and Pure Joy Ice Cream and the opportunity to mix and mingle with some of the artists.

"I like to remind people that this is a fundraiser," says Smith. "So at the end of the night, not only do patrons have their ears filled with great music, bellies filled with food and drink and eyes and hearts filled with great art; [their] purchase furthers the arts ecology in [their] area!"

Five of this year's artists are:

Rachel Lynett

Fayetteville

What medium do you work in? I'm actually a playwright.

How did you choose this year's subject? This has been a rough year for me politically, and I've struggled to balance my faith with the world I see today so I wanted to create a piece that reflected that struggle.

Why do you participate in 5x5? I've always wanted to work with the community and support local artists. Also, selfishly, since I am a writer, it gives me a chance to use a different part of my brain and challenge myself artistically.

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Zeek Taylor

Eureka Springs

What medium do you work in? I'm primarily a watercolorist but I used acrylic for my 5x5.

How did you choose this year's subject? I chose to paint a chimp, one of my iconic images, and I selected as a theme one of my favorite movies, "The Wizard of Oz."

What's your favorite of the pieces you've purchased there yourself and why? I have many favorites, but I'm particularly fond of my 5x5 by Matt Miller of Fayetteville. It is an abstract with colorful circular brush strokes and with a hint of metallic gold. It is easily recognized as a "Matt Miller." His style is so different from my own, and I guess I like it so much because "opposites attract."

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Amber Perrodin

Springdale

What medium do you work in? Mixed media; acrylic, graphite and oil paint

How did you choose this year's subject? This year's subject is a smaller version of an ongoing series that I am in the midst of.

Why do you participate in 5x5? I have always loved this event! This is such a great opportunity for local artists to get their work in a gallery setting without a lot of pressure. There's also something pretty magical about seeing hundreds of tiny works of art all on display together at once.

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Tareneh Manning

Fayetteville

What medium do you work in? When I am "ARTing," I usually find a room of my own and surround myself with a plethora of acrylics, watercolors and found (aka bought) objects.

How did you choose this year's subject? "Prosperity Flow" is a reality that I am passionately committed to helping artists and the arts achieve to better their lives and the community, therefore what better theme for this year's piece?

Why do you participate in 5x5? Community artists are empowered to directly impact the sustainability of visual arts programming by participating in this event.

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Katherine Barnhart

Springdale

What medium do you work in? As a profession, I garden, bringing my art together with the science of horticulture. My 5x5 is colored pencil.

How did you choose this year's subject? My girlfriends and I go swimming out at Beaver Lake about once a week until it gets too cold. It's a sacred spot. We watch the sunset, and I was trying to capture that feeling.

Why do you participate in 5x5? It's so much fun to interact with the community and see what other people are doing.

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NAN What's Up on 10/20/2017