Fort Smith Legend John Bell

Two hundred years in the making, 2018 will mark the bicentennial of one of the oldest cities in the country, Fort Smith, AR. To help celebrate this historic event, RAM has organized an exhibition by Fort Smith legend and native, John Bell, Jr. (1937-2013).

Bell was an acclaimed American painter and sculptor whose career spanned nearly fifty years. His memories and influences of western Arkansas and eastern Oklahoma are the topics reflected in most of his works. Bell had a keen appreciation for the beauty of our state and the character of its people.

This dynamic exhibit will showcase works by John Bell, Jr. that reside in private collections across our region, brought together to honor this truly unique artist and his works, that literally painted our local history.

Credit: Exhibition overview from museum website