ARKADELPHIA, Ark.—The Rosemary Gossett Adams Department of Art & Design in Ouachita Baptist University’s School of Fine Arts will host photography exhibits “Be Here to Love Me” by Liz Sanders and “Sticks and Stones” by Donna Pinckley from Feb. 28-April 1 in the Adams Galleries of Moses-Provine Hall, 401 Ouachita Street. The exhibits are free and open to the public; they are part of the School of Fine Arts’ guest artist series.  

Sanders is a photographer based in Little Rock, Ark. Her work examines and honors the life of her father, who had dementia, and raises awareness about how this illness impacts patients’ families. Sanders’ photographs have been featured in publications including “The New York Review of Books,” “TIME” and “The Nation.”  

“Her work centers around images she has created to observe her father’s past,” said Carey Roberson, associate professor of art and design at Ouachita. “She uses found photos of her father, trying to learn about his history. Even though he is gone, the conversations she is having with her audience keep her connected to him.”  

“This is a series of work that can give closure to anyone who has gone through a similar experience. It’s not an easy thing to deal with,” Roberson added. 

A Louisiana native who has lived in the South all her life, Pinckley earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in photography from Louisiana Tech University and is a professor of art at the University of Central Arkansas. Through her photography, she attempts to offer insight on themes related to the human condition, such as racism. “Sticks and Stones,” for example, features photographs of interracial couples.  

“It will be a show that will hopefully open dialogue on this topic,” Roberson said. “Her photographs are traditionally straightforward portraits displayed along with the negative comments that interracial couples face. You’ll feel a lot of empathy toward those individuals in the pictures because they fight hard to love who they love.”  

Regular gallery hours are 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Mondays through Thursdays, and 9 a.m.-12 noon on Fridays. For more information, contact Carey Roberson at [email protected] or (870) 245-4655.

• From "Sticks and Stones" by Donna Pinckley

• From "Be Here to Love Me" by Liz Sanders