Wall of Minis a big hit for the Visual Arts Cooperative

Who said that art has to be a certain size? Just take a look at the "Wall of Miniatures," a collection of "specific-sized" art from the Visual Arts Cooperative displayed at the Arts Council of Southeast Missouri.

The Wall of Minis started as a Tree of Minis with small Christmas-themed pieces. The tree tradition started about four years ago, "and it has been a hit," said co-op secretary/treasurer Vicki Outman.

This year, they aimed for a wall and increased the size of the submitted work. They kept a small range of 3-by-5-inch frames to 11-by-14-inch pieces.

"Most people, it's hard to find space for a large piece of art, but almost anybody can find space for a small piece of art," Outman said.

The art sold so fast when it went up that many artists donated more work to replenish the supply. The second round of donated art allowed the co-op to also set up a tree and continue that tradition.

There is art in a variety of media, according to co-op board member and artist Craig Thomas.

"Water color, acrylic, oil, mixed-medium, pencil — whatever the artist chose to use," he said. Thomas said there are a couple of 3-D pieces but the majority are for wall hanging.

Some of his own work made it into this year's exhibit.

Another local favorite, Don Greenwood, has included a series of drawings of his "River Rats" wearing Christmas hats.

Other familiar artists include Dr. Jean Chapman, who founded the co-op, Judi Brey and Vicki Outman. Outman concentrates on pastel landscapes. She retired from Southeast Missouri Hospital in 2000 and returned to painting. Outman said the minis make perfect gifts for the holiday season.

"You can buy something from $5 up to $75 instead of the normal price, which, in some galleries, would be a couple of hundred dollars for a painting," she said. "This way you can buy an original work of art at a small price."

The Visual Arts Co-op has around 45 members to pull work from.

"Dixie Jones has a very lovely piece. And Linda Booth has quite a following, and she has two very nice small oil paintings," Outman said. "Tom Neumeyer has some photography in there."

The money made from the exhibit goes into a co-op fund, which helps fund either the arts council or co-op activities. The Wall of Miniatures is on display now at the Arts Council of Southeast Missouri and will stay up through December.