Reception for Artist Vitus Shell "Free Lunch" Exhibition Merkle Gallery • Aug 7, 5:30-7pm

Louisiana-born artist and university assistant professor Vitus Shell brings his compelling exhibition, “Free Lunch,” to the Merkle Gallery Aug 4 - Sept 19, 2025. Shell’s powerful mixed-media works focus his interpretation of the black experience by deconstructing, sampling, and remixing themes of identity, civil rights, and contemporary black culture.

The artist’s reception will be held on Thur, Aug 7, 5:30-7pm, offering visitors the chance to meet Shell and engage with his creative process.

Shell starts his creative process by photographing models and then sketching and painting their portraits on paper. He creates collage backgrounds, pastes the portraits onto them, adds layers, and finishes with acrylics and grommets.

Born and based in Monroe, Louisiana, Vitus Shell is a distinguished artist whose work centers on portraits of everyday black people. He employs a blend of painting, printmaking, and collage, often incorporating graphic design elements to create dynamic and thought-provoking images. “I’ve always done figures because I feel like people that don’t come from art backgrounds can at least relate to that part of the work. Even if it’s an idea they might not be familiar with, I think it gives them a place to enter the piece.”

more about the artist and exhibition - https://saac-arts.org/vitus-shell-aug-2025/

You may also like the following events from South Arkansas Arts Center:

• This Thursday, 24th July, 10:00 am, "The Best Christmas Pageant Ever" FREE Movie • Christmas in July @ SAAC July 24 in El Dorado

Also check out other Arts events in El Dorado, Exhibitions in El Dorado, Fine Arts events in El Dorado.