'Meticulous Detail and a Gift for Portraying Life in a Particular Setting'

The official unveiling of a new John Bell painting, “Concert on the Green,” was held June 12, 2009 at the University of Arkansas - Fort Smith before a crowd of community members and UA Fort Smith faculty, staff and students. The Reynolds Bell Tower, one of the most recognized features of the university campus, is prominent in the painting. Among the photographs the local artist reviewed as he worked on the piece was one taken during an August 2000 concert performance by the folk music group Peter, Paul and Mary.

Chancellor Dr. Paul B. Beran said several people have asked why UA Fort Smith commissioned Bell to paint this piece.

“The answer is very simple,” said Beran. “He paints with meticulous detail and has a gift for portraying life as it existed or as it still exists in a particular setting. That’s what you are going to see today. This university has a rich history and an exciting future. We wanted a painting that would depict life on the campus.

“This painting represents a significant era in the history of our institution, and we are honored that he was willing to take on the project.”

Bell attended UA Fort Smith when it was Fort Smith Junior College. After completing a bachelor’s degree, he worked for several companies as a designer, illustrator and instructor. He began doing oil paintings of Arkansas cityscapes as they were at the turn of the 20th century, publishing them as limited edition prints. These are sold in various galleries around Arkansas, and his original works and signed limited prints are in private collections all over the United States.

Ordering Information

"Concert on the Green" is available as an unframed fine art paper print, an unframed stretched canvas print or a framed stretched canvas print. All prints are 20" x 30". Proceeds from sales will be placed in the Chancellor's Coalition for the Visual Arts fund, which will be used to enhance and maintain the permanent art collection on the UA Fort Smith campus. A portion of your payment will be tax-deductible, and you will receive an itemized receipt for your records.

* Print Order Form (PDF)