Pine Bluff, Arkansas – The ARTx3 Campus in Pine Bluff will soon open its doors to art lovers for the “2025 Pine Bluff Art League Annual Exhibition.” The highly anticipated event will begin with an opening reception scheduled for Thursday, August 28, from 5 to 7 p.m. at The Arts & Science Center for Southeast Arkansas, located at 701 S. Main Street in Pine Bluff.
This juried exhibition is a yearly tradition that highlights the talent and creativity of Pine Bluff Art League members. Visitors will have the opportunity to view and purchase original works on display. This year’s event will be juried by Monica “Mokasso” McGee, a well-known Arkansas-based visual artist whose work focuses on themes of healing, progress, and empowerment.
Exhibition Details and Awards
The exhibition will be housed in the William H. Kennedy Jr. Gallery and will run through November 22, 2025. Sponsored by Pine Bluff Sand & Gravel Co., the event promises a diverse collection of local art that reflects the spirit of Southeast Arkansas. Admission to the gallery is always free, with hours set from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesdays through Fridays and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturdays.
As part of the exhibition, McGee will present awards in several categories, including Best in Show, First Place, Second Place, Third Place, and two Honorable Mentions. These honors not only highlight artistic excellence but also encourage emerging and established artists alike to continue sharing their voices with the community.
About Juror Monica “Mokasso” McGee
Monica McGee, known artistically as “Mokasso,” brings deep passion and personal experience to her work. Based in central Arkansas, she is a visual artist, mentor, speaker, and facilitator. Her signature style features bold, high-contrast acrylic figures shown from behind, symbolizing progress and her guiding mantra, “Your best life is in front of you, don’t look back.”
McGee’s journey into art was shaped by personal challenges. Although she studied organizational management and earned her MBA with a focus on entrepreneurship at Nyack College in New York, she reconnected with painting in 2017 while struggling with depression. It was during this period that she discovered the healing power of art, allowing raw emotion to flow onto canvas and shaping her distinctive style.
Today, McGee owns a creative arts and media company through which she leads workshops, creates public art, and produces original works that inspire others to move forward in their lives. Her role as juror for this exhibition adds not only prestige but also an inspiring perspective for local artists.
Community Connection Through Art
For the Pine Bluff community, the annual exhibition offers more than just an art show—it is a chance to celebrate creativity, connect with neighbors, and support local talent. With pieces available for purchase, the event also provides a meaningful way for residents to invest in the arts while bringing beauty into their homes.
For more information about the exhibition or the opening reception, interested individuals may contact Shakeelah Rahmaan, interim curator and programs director, at [email protected] or 870-536-3375.
The 2025 Pine Bluff Art League Annual Exhibition promises to be a vibrant display of artistic talent and community spirit, showcasing the power of art to inspire, heal, and bring people together.
